Judge Gisela T. Laurent, Circuit Court Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit

Our next spotlight for Hispanic Heritage Month is Judge Gisela Laurent! Born in Ohio, Judge Laurent grew up as the daughter of two hardworking parents who emigrated from the Dominican Republic. Growing up watching her father work hard to support his family and volunteer his time serving his community, it wasn’t long before she realized she too was meant to serve the public.

Upon graduating law school, she went on to work for the public defender before opening her own solo practice. It was there she was able to connect with those in her community seeking legal aid from someone who spoke their language. Despite a large Hispanic community at the time, there were few Hispanic female attorneys. She sought to fill the need for Hispanic legal representation in our area and inspire many Latinas in the field of law after her.

Judge Laurent describes the Dominican people as trailblazers who work hard for the future they want, something she learned firsthand from her parents. Listen to her interview for Hispanic Heritage Month to hear what she loves most about her Dominican heritage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC_RmNASLbg

And to hear her story on her life growing up, her roots and impact in the Pine Hills community, and her journey to becoming the first Hispanic female Orange County court judge, click here! https://ninthcircuit.org/openninth/pine-hills-proud

This weekend, the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, Inc. (PRBA) held their 2023 National Conference, where they presented Judge Gisela Laurent with the Justice Award. The Justice Award is given to a member of the bench who has displayed commitment to the rule of law and the community, ensuring all are treated equally under the law.

Congratulations, Judge Laurent! What a well-deserved honor!

UPDATE: All courts in Orange and Osceola Counties will be closed Wednesday, August 30. It is anticipated that normal operations will resume on Thursday, August 31.

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We are closely monitoring the forecast for Tropical Storm Idalia.

At this time, all courts will remain OPEN tomorrow (August 29) during normal operating hours. Please continue to follow our social media channels () for any updates on court closures.

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Dear Citizens of Orange & Osceola Counties, today because of your support, hard work & faith in my service on the bench, I have been RETAINED to serve as your Circuit Court Judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit without opposition!! I am so grateful to everyone who poured their time into the retention campaign and I promise to continue to work hard for our community!!

Thank you Saffron for your special in chambers visit ❤️❤️ Feeling so loved by her spirit ❤️🥰🥰

Our community is vibrant & beautiful!! Que viva Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

Inspire by , be a leader! Improve your sales pitch it in our free seminar this March 31, register for free https://bit.ly/herstorywbc

¡Mujeres que Inspiran! Siempre al servicio de nuestra comunidad, es amiga, líder y la representación que necesitamos en el sistema judicial. ¡Estamos orgullosas de tu valentía y tu compromiso!
Judge Gisela T. Laurent, Circuit Court Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit

is back again! Do you remember when some of our judges joined in on the fun of the Seventh Annual Central Florida Diversity and Inclusion Picnic? Judges Robert Egan, Gisela Laurent, Tina Caraballo, and retired judge Jose Rodriguez had a great time meeting the lawyers, paralegals, and law students of the community at the annual event, but it’s hard to believe it happened three years ago!

On Wednesday, Judge Gisela Laurent had the exciting opportunity to speak as a panelist at the Latinas in Law event at Barry University School of Law. This event, hosted by the school's Immigration Law Society and Hispanic American Law Student Association, featured an engaging panel of Latina lawyers, professors, and jurists. The panel explored the different career paths available to students after graduation and spoke on their own individual journeys. We can’t wait to meet the future judges that come out of that crowd!

What a great opportunity!!

Did you know that you could receive a $1,000 sign-on bonus for filling one of Orange County, Florida Government's eligible positions? Make a difference in your community. Join our team by visiting ocfl.net/jobs.

Promoting Civic Education is fundamental to my service in the community ⚖️ I am so excited to be working with Legal Services Clinic of the Puerto Rican Community, Inc. to educate the readers on separation of powers, the judiciary, and many other important topics ❤️🥰

Hoy estuvimos con La Honorable Gisela T. Laurent, Jueza de Circuito del Condado de Orange, quien ocupará la portada de la edición de marzo de nuestra revista Justicia and Law Review. Una interesante entrevista sobre esta brillante mujer que es orgullo hispano en La Florida Central.

Thank you Judge Munyon for your service and for being a constant force for diversity on the bench! Our community is truly strengthened when our bench holds a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and cultures! I personally appreciate your hard work and dedication to this topic.

The February issue of the OCBA’s publication, the Briefs, is available now! In this issue, Chief Judge Lisa Munyon discusses diversity on the bench and how our circuit’s diversity evolved over the years. Read her column here: http://ow.ly/OcMg50HS8bM

Awe! Who remembers the mobile?!? I can’t believe it’s been six years!

I was so honored to be elected to serve Orange County in 2016❤️. My time on the county court bench was enriching and humbling. I truly love serving my community.

In 2021, I was elevated to Circuit Court Judge! Circuit Court Judges serve Orange & Osceola counties in the Ninth Circuit. In my time as a Circuit Court Judge, I have served as a Felony Division Judge and a Family Law/Domestic Relations Judge.

I am so grateful for your faith and confidence in me! I will continue to work hard for the people of the Ninth Circuit as your Circuit Court Judge👩‍⚖️ ❤️

It's Friday, and the weekend is just hours away! That means the mobile is out and about - share your selfies with the vehicle!

What a wonderful memory to share ❤️❤️. I hold so many fond memories of my 4 years on the County Court Bench, but I was so grateful last year when I was appointed to the Circuit Court Bench ❤️.

I always work hard to be a great example for the community that raised me, serve that community with dignity & respect, and uphold the laws of our great state of Florida & our constitution!

But I must admit that being appointed to the Circuit Court as the First Female Hispanic Circuit Court Judge ever appointed by any Governor in the Ninth Circuit’s history hits different ❤️🎉 I am so honored to serve as a lighthouse to other hispanic women, women of color, the youth from low income neighborhoods, and my first-generation hustlers! If I can break barriers and make history, then SO CAN YOU!!!

God Bless Florida & the United States 🇺🇸 The true land of opportunity 🎉❤️

Congratulations to our very own Orange County Judge Gisela Laurent on being appointed to the Ninth Circuit Court bench. We are so proud of you!

Who doesn’t love sancocho ❤️❤️

What better way is there to bring people together than food? Judge Gisela Laurent and Frannie Ferrara (Communications Coordinator) know all about how important good food can be. For Judge Laurent, a tasty bowl of sancocho helps her connect to her Dominican roots. And for Frannie, the authentic bagels and pizza of New Jersey take her back to her early years growing up in the state. Listen in to 9thUnplugged.fm to hear these two women tell Judge Alicia Latimore all about their favorite dishes and what makes them foodies.

Thank you Ninth Circuit Court of Florida for helping to share my story with our community ❤️💙❤️💙