Jamaican-born attorney Tamar Hamilton elected to Broward County circuit court bench

Jamaican-born attorney Tamar N. Hamilton has been elected to the circuit court bench in Florida's Broward County, becoming the latest Jamaican-American legal professional to secure a judicial appointment in the United States.

Hamilton defeated attorney David Andrew Fry in the Nov. 3 general election for Group 52 of Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit, receiving approximately 53.8% of the vote to Fry's 46.2%, according to unofficial results.

She will be sworn in in January 2027.

Hamilton's election was announced Wednesday by the 17th Judicial Circuit, with Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips welcoming her to the judiciary.

"The 17th Judicial Circuit welcomes Judge Hamilton to the bench. We are pleased to have her join our team and look forward to all she will contribute to the Circuit," Phillips said.

Born in Kingston, Hamilton has lived in Broward County for more than 25 years. She is the immediate past president of the Jamaican American Bar Association and has maintained professional ties to both the United States and Jamaica.

She brings more than 12 years of legal experience to the bench, having worked in civil litigation, real estate, probate, estate planning and business law. She is the founder of the Law Office of Tamar N. Hamilton, P.A., which she established in 2015, and has served as a special magistrate, evaluating evidence, hearing arguments and making recommendations in legal proceedings.

Hamilton is also an adjunct professor at St. Thomas University College of Law, where she has taught since 2018. Her courses have included legal research and writing, mortgage foreclosure, real estate transactions and law office management.

Her academic background includes a degree in interdisciplinary studies, arts and humanities, from Florida Atlantic University and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from St. Thomas University School of Law. She also attended Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, receiving a Legal Education Certificate in 2019. She is admitted to both The Florida Bar and Jamaica's General Legal Council.

Beyond her legal practice and teaching, Hamilton has been involved in community education, conducting seminars on estate planning, probate, financial literacy and legal rights. She has also mentored aspiring attorneys and participated in initiatives through schools, churches and civic organizations.

In a statement following her election, Hamilton said she was humbled by the confidence Broward County voters had placed in her.

"This victory is not simply a personal achievement; it is a testament to faith, perseverance, and the power of community," she said.

"As I prepare to serve on the bench, I remain committed to upholding the rule of law with integrity, fairness, impartiality, and respect for every person who enters the courtroom. Justice must always be administered without fear, favor, or prejudice."

Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit serves Broward County and is the state's second-largest circuit. It has 90 judges, including 58 circuit court judges and 32 county court judges, and operates four courthouses across the county.

Circuit court judges preside over a range of matters, including civil, criminal and family cases. Hamilton's election will fill Group 52, a position previously held by Judge Michael G. Kaplan, who retired after 24 years on the bench.