The Honorable Miriam Valkenburg
Year elected to the Bench: 2016
Judicial Assignments:
- County Civil Division M
- County Criminal Division A
Education
- Law School: Stetson University College of Law (2001)
- Undergraduate: University of South Florida (1994)
Professional Background
- Valkenburg & Velez, PA
- Isaac & Zwirn, PA
- Office of the State Attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit – Assistant State Attorney
- Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration - Intelligence
- Department of Corrections Probation & Parole – Probation & Parole Officer
- Salvation Army Correctional Services – Probation Officer
Internships
- Office of the State Attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit – Certified Legal Intern
- Judge A. Paskay, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Middle District of Florida - Intern
- United States Department of Justice, Trustees Office, Tampa, Florida – Intern
Honors and Awards
- James M. “Red” McEwen Memorial Award, 2019
- Raymond Fernandez Award Recipient, HCSO Hispanic Advisory Board 2018
- Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, 2017 Appreciation Award
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2015 NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award 2015
- Florida Legal Elite Award – Recognized as a Top Lawyer in Florida 2015
- Are You Safe, Inc. Board of Directors Civic Award 2014
- Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2015
- Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2014
- Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2013
- Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2012
- Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2011
- Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2010
- Thirteen Judicial Pro-bono Service Award 2009
Professional Affiliations and Activities: (Past & Present)
- Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Fairness & Diversity 2018-2020
- Florida Bar Diversity & Inclusion Committee 2018-2019
- Florida Bar Grant Committee 2018-2019
- Conference of County Court Judges of Florida Sentencing Committee, Professional Relations Committee and Criminal Rules Committee.
- Goldburg-Cacciatore Criminal Law Inn of Court (2017-Present)
- Supervisor of Election Canvassing Board Appointment, 2017-2019
- Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association (Member 2008- 2016)
- Florida Justice Association (Member 2008 – 2016)
- Hillsborough County Attorney Ad-litem 2009-2014
- Leadership Tampa Bay, Class of 2014
Tampa Hispanic Bar Association:
- Advancement Committee 2018-2020
- Advisory Board 2016-2017, 2018-2020
- Immediate Past President 2016
- President 2014-2015
- Treasurer 2011-2013
- Board of Directors 2010-2011
- Latina Leaders’ Summit
Hillsborough County Bar Association:(Member 2008 – Present)
- Judicial Pig Roast & 5k River Run Committee Co-chair (2016-2020)
- Judicial Pig Roast & 5k River Run Committee Member (2010 – 2016)
- HCBA YLD Law Week (2015-2018)
- Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro-Bono Committee Member (2012-2015)
- Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee (2015-Present)
- Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers: (Member 2011- Present)
- Board of Directors 2013 - Present
- Chair of the Diversity Committee (2014-2015 )
- Chair of the Pro-bono committee (2013-2014 )
- Co-chair of the Pro-bono committee (2012-2013 )
- Judicial liaison for the YLD Coffee at the courthouse (2017, 2018)
Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers:
- Vice-President 2011
- Board of Directors (2009- 2013)
Speaking Engagements/Cle Presentations
- Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Conference, Tampa, FL (2019)
- George Edgecomb Bar Association: Judicial RoundTable Luncheon:
“So You Want to be a Judge: Perspective on the Process.” (2019)
- 2019 International Women’s Day Panelist: “Finding Your Voice”
- HCBA Bar Bench Conference Criminal Law Panel (2018 )
- Gunster’s Women’s Leadership Forum: Perspectives on the Profession from Women Judges (2018)
- Key-note Speaker at MSU Cooley Law School Graduation (2018)
- Latina Leaders’ Summit (2018)
- George Edgecomb Bar Association tips from the Bench lunch and learn (2018)
- Young Lawyers CLE at the Courthouse (2017.)
- HCBA Bar Bench Conference Criminal Law Panel (2017)
- HCBA YLD Law Week (2017, 2018)
- THBA lunch and learn CLE at the courthouse (2017)
- HAWLS Jury Selection Seminar (2016)
- The Nuts and Bolts of Domestic Violence (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Community Involvement: (Past & Present)
- Fox Ask-A Lawyer
- Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Attorney Ad litem
- Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney with Family Justice Center
- Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney with Bay Area Legal Services
- Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney with Are You Safe, Org
- Tampa Hispanic Bar Association en Espanol Family Forms Clinic
- Leadership Tampa Bay, Class of 2014
- Hillsborough Education Foundation, 2011 School for tools Breakfast