A Judicial Profile
by Mark A. Sylvester*
Spend even a few minutes with Judge Scott J. Silverman and you will be fascinated by his knowledge of the history of the Dade County Courthouse and the legal community which sprung up around it. Of course, it comes as no surprise to learn that Judge Silverman is the Chief Historian of the 11th Judicial Circuit, and the founder of the 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society; the mission of which is to preserve, document, procure, collect, and memorialize the history of South Florida's rich legal heritage. The judge has taken on this mission with great enthusiasm. Adorning the walls of his court room are photographs dating back to the 1930s, depicting and memorializing the history of the courthouse and some of the brilliant legal minds that have labored in its courtrooms. He recently created and produced a 43 minute documentary film titled: The Dade County Courthouse: A History in Progress. The film is a fascinating account of the history of the courthouse dating back to the 1902 construction of the first edifice at 73 West Flagler Street.
Judge Silverman finds comfort, understanding, and important lessons in studying history.
"History places the present in perspective. An understanding of it makes us relevant and gives us an opportunity to improve upon the past," he said. "History shows us that we are part of something much bigger than our everyday world, it helps us appreciate the justice that is carried out in this courthouse everyday and that has taken place for decades."
Judge Silverman's personal history takes us back to Silver Springs, Maryland, where he was born and raised. At the age of 13 he moved to Miami Beach with his family. While attending Miami Beach Senior High School, the judge participated in a school sponsored court observance program. He recalls being enthralled by the ability of trial lawyers to zealously and artfully argue cases on behalf of their clients. After completing that program, there was no question in his mind that he would go on to law school and become a lawyer.
In 1978, Judge Silverman graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami School of Business. He then went on to obtain his law degree from the University of Tulsa in 1981. After two years with the Oklahoma Attorney General's office, he returned to Miami in 1983 as a law clerk to Judge Fredricka Smith. In 1985, after 2 years in private practice, the judge opened his own practice, and for the next 6 years worked as a trial lawyer in the area of personal injury.
In 1991, Judge Silverman was elected to the bench. He has served terms in the criminal division, traffic court, family division, and currently presides in circuit court general jurisdiction division. Judge Silverman was re-elected for another 4-year term in 2006, and at the expiration of his current term in 2010, he will have been on the bench for 20 years.
"The one thing I enjoy most about being a judge is the ability to help people resolve their problems, and to make things right," he said.
Judge Silverman has a straight forward and simple judicial philosophy, and that is to do everything in his power to facilitate justice, to make the right decision, and to help those in his courtroom reach that decision. To do so, he tries to create an atmosphere in his courtroom that helps the parties and participants reach a fair decision.
"It's tough enough out there being a lawyer, why create an atmosphere that is not conducive to being a good lawyer," the judge said.
His advice to young lawyers, and more experienced lawyers alike, is to come prepared.
"If you have an issue that you deem important enough to bring to court, then be prepared to make your argument, take the time to file a well thought out motion, and support your position with case law. I don't like making decisions in a vacuum. The law is constantly changing and we handle so many issues and cases, that I'm not going to pretend that I know it all. I keep an open mind and eliminate any preconceived notions."
His judicial assistant, Susan McGee, has been with the judge for 20 years, and his bailiff Jorge Boada has been with the judge for 13 years. Jorge describes the judge as a man of many qualities. "The judge has one goal and that is to serve the people who elected him. He is a warm and caring person who is fair minded in all of his decisions," Jorge Boada said.
Outside of the courtroom, Judge Silverman is actively involved in numerous professional activities and projects, not the least of which is the aforementioned 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society.
Due to his work in promoting judicial ethics and professionalism, on June 22, 2000, Judge Silverman received the esteemed Herbert Harley Award from the American Judicature Society. This national organization presents this award once a year to the attorney or judge who makes outstanding efforts and contributions that substantially improve the administration of justice in their state. Past South Florida recipients of the award include Janet Reno and Chesterfield Smith, to name but a few.
Judge Silverman lives in Surfside with his wife Adria Silverman and their dog, Charlie. Adria is a psychotherapist and parenting coordinating who recently started her own practice in Aventura. Previously she worked for 20 years as a licensed clinical and social worker for the State Attorney's Office conducting forensic interviews in child abuse cases.
When he's not serving in his professional capacity, Judge Silverman enjoys a wide range of hobbies from traveling to jazz guitar, as well as cinematography, magic, and photography. "I'm always trying to find something new and interesting to keep me busy," he said. Most recently, the judge is exploring vintage photography and learning how to use a Verascope, a French camera dating back to the 1940's that creates three dimensional images.
Judge Silverman also serves on the Board of Directors for the Historic Museum of Southern Florida, of which the 11th Judicial Circuit Historic Society is affiliated. On November 2, 2007, the 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society in conjunction with the Historic Museum of Southern Florida will be hosting its 2007 Legal Legends Awards dinner at the historic Olympia Theater in downtown Miami. The first annual awards dinner will honor ten living members of Miami-Dade's legal community as well as present two posthumous awards.
Mark A. Sylvester is a partner at the law firm of Leesfield & Partners, P.A. He specializes in representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
