On October 8th, the Law & Leadership Honor Society (LLHS) held its second “Lunch with a Judge and Legal Professional Series” event in the MHS museum.

LLHS’s special guests were Judge Scott Bernstein of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and attorney and former judge Mr. David Young, who sat down to lunch with some of Miami High’s student leaders: Cassandra Cardenas (LLHS president), Jennifer Tejada (LLHS vice president), Zarai Huete (SGA 1^st VP), Fabuola Pierre (senior class VP), Angel Espinoza (SGA 2^nd VP), Ariel Trueba (Future Educators of America VP), Manuel Baldizon (LLHS member), and Jessica Garcia (LLHS member). The special guests spoke about their lives in the legal world and gave advice to the students on what path to go on to achieve their goals. The student participants were also given a case scenario and asked to provide suggestions to resolve the case.

Judge Bernstein’s parents attended Miami High back in 1940. This fact made his visit extra special. After adding their names to the lunch series’ perpetual plaque, the guests were given a tour of the school which included poses with the JROTC and other students. Judge Bernstein and Mr. Young offered support to the Miami High Legal Magnet program and a future visit.

The event was catered by the culinary students with a delicious gluten free meal. WMHS filmed the lunch, the MIAHI staff provided the photography, and the JROTC students served as even escorts for the special guests. The Law Magnet Advisory Board was represented by Chair Madelin D’Arce, Esq. and Class of 1990 alumnus Juan D’Arce, M.S.Ed. English Department Chairperson Ms. Davalyn Suarez was representing the Legal Honor Society. This event was made possible by the support of principla Mr. Valdez, School Board Member Raquel Regalado, and a sponsorship by Esquire Deposition Solutions.

Background on Judge Bernstein and Mr. David Young

Judge Scott Bernstein was born and raised in Miami. He founded the first volunteer support group for The New World Symphony and established a program providing music lessons to inner‐city children. He volunteers his time extensively in community and social programs. Judge Bernstein received his B.A at Vanderbilt University in 1981. He was elected as a Circuit Judge in 1998, and then asked to be assigned to Juvenile Court so he could dedicate his judicial career to the needs of children. Judge Bernstein was the Chair of the 100^th Anniversary Committee which celebrated the founding of the first juvenile court in the United States. He served in the Criminal Division presiding over adult felony cases from 2003-2004. In 2005, Judge Bernstein served in the Family Division, resolving dissolutions of marriage, custody, paternity, and adoption cases. In 2006, he served in the Civil Division presiding over large commercial and civil disputes. He was recently appointed Chair of the Education Committee of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges. The Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court just appointed Judge Bernstein Chair of the Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity for the State of Florida for the next two years.

With 14 years of judicial experience and over 30 years of legal experience, Mr. David Young has a lot of knowledge of the law. A Miami native, he graduated from Tulane University as student body president and then from the University of Miami School of Law. While serving as a Circuit Judge, he was honored by his colleagues when elected to serve on the Judicial Qualifications Committee. After he left the bench to star in his own Emmy-nominated courtroom television show, Judge David Young, he remained active within the Miami community. Mr. Young served on the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade Humane Society. He also was Vice Chairperson of the City of Miami’s Planning and Zoning Board, and Parliamentarian of the City of Miami’s Community Relations Board. In September of 2014, he was honored with the Dade County Bar Association’s President Abraham Lincoln Award in recognition of his devoted and exemplary service to the community, bench, and bar.