For Immediate Release
Contact Alan Sadowski, Marshal
Third District Court of Appeal
305-229-3200

The Third District Court of Appeal Passes the Gavel to its First Female Chief Judge in the Court’s 52 year history.

MIAMI- On July 1, 2011, Honorable Linda Ann Wells became the first female Chief Judge in the 52 year history of the Third District Court of Appeal. A “Passing of the Gavel” ceremony honoring Chief Judge Wells was held at the court on July 14, 2011 during which Chief Judge Wells recalled a time when few women LINDA ANN WELLS CHIEF JUDGE CLERK JUAN RAMIREZ, JR. were admitted to law school, interviewed for jobs by law firms, or promoted to FRANK A. SHEPHERD ALAN SADOWSKI professional leadership roles. Following a short reading from Bradwell v. Illinois, RICHARD J. SUAREZ MARSHAL ANGEL A. CORTIÑASa 1872 United States Supreme Court decision affirming a lower court ruling LESLIE B. ROTHENBERG DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL DEBBIE MCCURDY refusing a woman’s admittance to the Illinois State Bar, Chief Judge Wells credited BARBARA LAGOA THIRD DISTRICT CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK VANCE E. SALTER her selection as Chief Judge in substantial part to both her “sisters in the law” who r fused to take no for an answer when denied admission to law schools and G ES P U TY M ARSHAL e s bar associations and who persevered in becoming successful attorneys and leaders in the legal profession and to those men who encouraged, supported, and mentored them. Chief Judge Wells’ tenure will run through July 2013.