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Profile

Katherine G. Essrig

 

EDUCATION
J.D., with honors, University of Florida College of Law, 1981
A.B., cum laude, Public Policy Studies, Duke University, 1978
Local public schools, Tampa, Florida

 

HONORS
Brian McEwen Award for Outstanding Service to Children and Families,
             Champions for Children, 2023
Lifetime Achievement Award for Children’s Advocacy, Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough
             County, 2018

Luminary Award (awarded to Tampa’s “greatest community leaders”), The Junior League of
             Tampa, 2017
Second Chances for Children Champion Award, Eckerd Kids, 2016
National Judicial Leadership Award, Casey Family Programs, 2015
Lifetime Achievement Award, Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay, 2015
William E. Gladstone Award (awarded at statewide Dependency Summit) for judicial 
             leadership and service to Florida’s children, 2012
13th Judicial Circuit Outstanding Service Award (awarded at statewide Dependency Summit), 
             Florida Department of Children and Families, 2009
Board of Editors, University of Florida College of Law Appellate Advocacy, 1979-1981
Honors, Appellate Advocacy, University of Florida College of Law, 1979
Honors, Legal Writing, University of Florida College of Law, 1979


WORK EXPERIENCE

Elected Circuit Court Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, 1997-present
Administrative Judge, Unified Family Court, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, 2010-present
Administrative Judge, Juvenile Dependency Division, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, 2002-present
Elected County Court Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County, 1991-1996
Attorney, Law Offices of John M. Fitzgibbons, Tampa, Florida 1989-1991
Special Assistant United Stated States Attorney, 1988-1989
Assistant State Attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County, 1985-1989
Judicial law clerk to the Honorable Paul Game, Jr., United States Magistrate Judge,
             United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa, Florida, 1981-1985 

 

ACTIVITIES
Member, Florida Supreme Court Steering Committee on Families and Children in
              the Courts, 2010-2018
Chair, Florida Dependency Model Courts Panel, 2012-2016
Member, Florida Dependency Model Courts Panel, 2010-present
President, Ferguson-White Chapter, American Inns of Court, 2002-2003
Member, Ferguson-White Chapter, American Inns of Court, 1987-present
Chair, 13th Judicial Circuit Committee on Judicial Assignments and Reassignments, 2015
Vice-Chair, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 2007-2011
Member, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 2001-present
Chair, 13th Judicial Circuit Dependency Judicial Engagement Project, Casey Family
             Programs, 2013-2020
Chair, 13th Judicial Circuit Safe Reduction Workgroup, 2013-2020
President, Athena Society, 2007-2008
Member, Athena Society, 1991-present
Member, 13th Judicial Circuit Facility Dog workgroup, 2013-present
Chair, 13th Judicial Circuit National Adoption Day committee, 2006-present
Member, 13th Judicial Circuit Reunification Day workgroup, 2012-present
Chair, 13th Judicial Circuit Dependency Court Improvement Panel, 2002-present
Member, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 2012-present
Member, Florida Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 2012-present
Member, Executive Board, Hillsborough County Bar Association, 1988-1990
Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association, 1982-present
Member, Florida Association of Women Lawyers, 1986-present
Member, Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers, 1986–present
Member, Florida Judicial Mentoring Program, 2002-present
Member, 13th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, 2006-present
Member, 13th Judicial Circuit Technology Executive Committee, 2008-present
Member, Duke University Alumni Admissions Committee, 1982-1986, 1990-2010
Member, Friends of the Arts, 1982-present
Member, Tampa Museum of Art, 1982-present
Volunteer attorney, Hillsborough County Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program, 1985-1991
Member, Community Security Council, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 1984-1988
Mayoral appointee, Tampa-Hillsborough County Library Board, 1982-1986