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Lagoa joins the Florida Supreme Court

Senior Editor News in Photos
Lagoa joins the Florida Supreme Court

Becomes the first Cuban-American woman on the court

Veteran Third District Court of Appeal Judge and Miami native Barbara Lagoa made history January 9, becoming the first Cuban-American woman and the 87th justice appointed to the Florida Supreme Court.

“I am grateful to you and I am deeply honored,” Lagoa, surrounded by family and friends, said at an impromptu press conference called by Gov. Ron DeSantis at the historic Freedom Tower in downtown Miami.

DeSantis traveled to Miami less than 24 hours after being sworn into office, demonstrating his eagerness to fill the first of three vacancies left by retiring Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy Quince.

DeSantis praised Lagoa for rising from humble roots, the daughter of Cuban immigrants, to the top of her profession.

Saying she had presided over more than 11,000 cases in the past dozen years as an appellate judge, DeSantis said Lagoa was the most qualified of the 11 candidates he interviewed.

“She has earned the respect of the Florida legal community and of all her peers,” DeSantis said. “She has been the essence of what a judge should be. And she also has a great personal story.”

The three retiring justices were forced off the bench by a mandatory retirement set by the Florida Constitution.

“She understands the rule of law; how important that is to society,” DeSantis said.

“It is the role of judges to apply, not to alter,” the work of elected representatives, said Lagoa, who  has worked at prominent firms, including Greenberg Traurig and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. “In our great state and our great country, we are governed by the rule of law.”

Maria D. Garcia, president of the Cuban American Bar Association, said for the past 12 years Lagoa has served her community and the judiciary as the first Cuban-American woman on the Third District Court of Appeal and that CABA is proud of all her accomplishments and her new role on the Supreme Court.

“As a fellow daughter of Cuban exiles, I am excited that Gov. DeSantis made such a wise choice for the Florida Supreme Court,” Garcia said. “Judge Lagoa has always set a bright example for the legal community and has an impeccable record as a jurist.”

Lagoa was appointed to the Third District Court of Appeal by former Gov. Jeb Bush in 2006. She received her JD from Columbia University in 1992 after earning an undergraduate degree in English from Florida International University.

An associate editor of Columbia Law Review, Lagoa replaced retiring Judge David Levy.

In 2003, Lagoa joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida as an assistant U.S. attorney, trying numerous criminal jury trials, including drug conspiracies and Hobbs Act violations, as well as criminal appeals.

Prior to coming to the bench, Lagoa’s law practice focused on general and complex commercial litigation, including employment, securities, construction, and insurance coverage litigation.

Lagoa thanked a mentor from FIU for urging her to apply to Columbia, which she unabashedly described as “the best law school” in the country.

A member of the Dade County Bar Association and ABA, Lagoa has also been active in civic causes in South Florida, including serving on the board of the YWCA of Greater Miami and Dade County, the Film Society of Miami, Kristi House and the FIU Alumni Association. Lagoa is also a member of the William Hoeveler  Chapter of the American Inns of Court, the Junior League of Miami and Fairchild Tropical Gardens.

Judge Lagoa and her husband, attorney Paul C. Huck, Jr., have three children.

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