Questionnaire: Stefanie C. Moon, candidate for Broward Circuit Judge Group 38

Name: Stefanie Camille Moon
Date and place of birth: June, 1968 in West Palm Beach, FL.
Office sought: Circuit Court Judge- Group 38
Campaign website: www.reelectmoon4judge.com

List in reverse chronological order each college, university and law school and indicate years of attendance:
Southern University Law Center: 1992-19941 Juris Doctor
Mississippi College School of Law: 1991-1992/None
Loyola University, New Orleans: 1986-1990/Bachelor of Business Administration

List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years:
Current Position: Circuit Court Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit (2019-present)-hearing civil interpersonal violence injunctions in Unified Family Court.
Previous Positions: Sole Practitioner, S.C. Moon Law (2011-2018)- focused on civil business litigation and criminal defense in both state and federal court. I have represented clients in labor and employment claims, Fair Labor Standards Act claims, fraud, and business contract claims. Additionally, I have handled a myriad of felony criminal matters, including firearms, narcotics, immigration, corruption, and fraud violations.
Associate Attorney, Haliczer, Pettis & Schwamm, (2011-2012)-focused on medical malpractice defense in state court.
Of Counsel, Berger Singerman (2010-2011)- worked primarily in federal bankruptcy court in the In re Rothstein, Rosenfeldt Adler matter.
Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida, Civil Division (2007-2010)- defended the United States, its agencies and officers in in cases involving employment discrimination, social security benefits, immigration and naturalization status, and Federal Tort Claims Act matters.
Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida, Criminal Division (2002-2007)-primarily handled reactive cases involving a variety of federal criminal statutes including firearms, narcotics, immigration, corruption and fraud violations.

As a lawyer, judge, or both, describe what types of cases you have typically handled?
As you can discern from the above information, my legal experience as an attorney was quite varied, I have been responsible for both civil and criminal cases in both state and federal court as both a government attorney and in private practice. Also, I have served as a quasi- judicial officer for the Broward County Value Adjustment Board. I heard approximately 150 cases regarding real property ad valorem tax in my capacity as a Special Master. My time on the bench has been exclusively in Unified Family Court hearing civil inter-personal violence injunctions.

If you are an attorney, how many cases have you tried in the past five years? Of those cases, how many were tried before juries to verdicts and how many were tried before a judge?
N/A

If you are a judge, how many jury trials have you presided over that resulted in verdicts and judgments?
As a judge, I have not presided over jury trials. As stated above, I have been assigned exclusively to Unified Family Court hearing civil inter-personal violence injunctions since my judicial term began in 2019.

Have you been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details, including case style, jurisdiction, and details of disposition.
Yes, I was the plaintiff in a civil dissolution of marriage action.

Have you been charged or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including adjudications of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates of conviction, and terms of sentence.
No.

Have you ever been disciplined by the Florida Supreme Court as a result of a recommendation by the Florida Bar? If so, provide details.
No.

List three cases in which you were lead or co-counsel and why they are significant.
State v. Bernard Montgomery: Provided pro bono criminal defense representation in a complex case, ultimately resulting in a favorable outcome for the defendant despite threats to my personal safety.
United States v. Vincent Richmond: Handled pro bono appellate work, contributing to setting a legal precedent in federal law regarding the use of informants.
United States v. Timothy Taylor: defended a pro bono client in a federal criminal case, demonstrating expertise in navigating complex federal statutes.

If you have provided any significant pro bono legal services in the past 10 years, please provide details.
Yes, I have provided pro bono criminal defense representation in several cases, including as indicated above. I have served on the Board of Directors for Coast to Coast Legal Aid, and I currently sit on the Board of FFLA (Funding Florida Legal Aid) formerly known as the Florida Bar Foundation. Moreover, I am a member of the Judicial Advisory Council to the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Pro Bono Service.

List current and former memberships in civic, fraternal, legal, or social organizations.
● Florida Supreme Court Historical Society- Board of Trustees
● Funding Florida Legal Aid- Board of Directors
● Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Assoc.- Member
● American Red Cross- Broward County Chapter Board of Directors
● Legal Aid Society-Broward Chapter Former Board of Directors
● The Links, Incorporated- Member and former Public Affairs Chair
● NAACP- Member
● National Council of Negro Women- Member
● Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.- Member and former Co- Chair of Social Action Committee
● Southern District of Florida Former Ad Hoc CJA Selection Committee
● 17th Circuit Professionalism Panel- Former Member
● Federal Bar Association – Broward County Chapter Former Board of Directors
● Broward County Bar Association- Member and current Professionalism Committee Member
● Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association- Former Member
● T. l. Reddick Bar Association- Member
● American Bar Association-Former Member and Chair of Women Business and Corporate Litigation Sub Committee
● Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers- Former Member
● Junior League of Boca Raton-Former Member

If you are or were an officer or director or engaged in management of any business enterprise other than a law practice, list its name and business activity, your duties and whether you intend to resign upon your election.
N/A

Why are you running for this office?
I am running for re-election to this office because I want to continue to positively impact the lives of the citizens of Broward County. As a circuit court judge, I make decisions that affect citizens on a daily basis when considering restrictions on a person’s liberty in a civil interpersonal violence injunction matter or deciding appropriate remedial treatment for an abuser including mental health or substance abuse treatment, parenting and batterer’s intervention programs. I believe that I have served the citizens of Broward County well thus far as a circuit court judge.

If you have chosen to run for judicial office against an incumbent, specify why you have done so.
N/A

If you have sought appointment as a judge through a Judicial Nominating Commission, provide details, including year(s) and results.
N/A

Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
Voters should choose me over my opponent because of the demonstrated service I have provided over the past five and a half years. I have a seriousness of purpose in my approach to the law. I understand both the burden and privilege of judicial office. The effectiveness of our legal system depends in large part upon the perception of fairness held by our citizens. I work diligently to ensure that every litigant that comes before me believes that their matters are fully heard and fairly considered, whether they are represented by an attorney or not.

What in your life experience best qualifies you to serve as a judge?
The variety of experience I have as a practicing attorney best prepared me to serve as a judge. As stated above, I have been both plaintiff and defense counsel in both civil and criminal matters in both state and federal court. I also served in a quasi-judicial capacity as a Special Master for the Broward County Value Adjustment Board. In that role, I conducted hearings which included accepting sworn testimony, reviewing tangible evidence and then drafting findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding ad valorem taxation matters. This versatility of experience serves the county well. I am fully committed to doing all I can to help those that appear before me walk out of the courtroom with a more positive view of our justice system, as well as the judges that serve them as a part of that system.

What are three major challenges facing the justice system in Broward County, Florida, or the U.S.?
The exorbitant expense of civil litigation
The lack of parity between indigent and private criminal defense
The lack of civility among participants in the legal process