Carol-Lisa Phillips is running as a No Party Affiliation (Nonpartisan Offices) candidate for the Florida Circuit Judge, Circuit 17, Group 1 in the upcoming 2024 Florida Statewide Elections.
Competing against 1 other candidate(s), Carol-Lisa Phillips aims to bring their extensive experience to the role as a candidate for Circuit Judge in the Florida State Government.
Carol-Lisa Phillips has served as a judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida since her appointment by Governor Jeb Bush in 2003. She has extensive ties to Broward County, where she has lived since she was three years old.
Phillips completed her law degree at Nova Southeastern Law School and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida. She also attended Broward College and several local elementary and high schools in the area.
Phillips' judicial career spans over two decades. Initially, she served in the domestic violence division, handling critical and sensitive cases.
She later transitioned to the unified family division, where her decisions impacted numerous families. Her subsequent roles included managing over a thousand cases in the circuit civil division, dealing with issues such as auto negligence, foreclosures, wrongful death, and employee discrimination.
Currently, she serves in the complex litigation division, presiding over lengthy jury and non-jury trials that demand thorough review and research. Since July 2017, Phillips has been the administrative judge of the circuit civil divisions, where she has implemented several measures to improve court efficiency, including online scheduling, uniform motion calendars, and standardized trial and case management orders.
Beyond her judicial responsibilities, Phillips is deeply involved in community service. She has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fort Lauderdale since 1990, holding various leadership positions including past president and board member.
Her community service includes volunteering for the Waterway Cleanup, participating in the Citizens Police Academy, and supporting organizations such as the American Cancer Society and HANDY (Helping Abused and Neglected Youth). Phillips is also active in efforts to combat human trafficking, participating in the Walk for Freedom to raise global awareness on the issue.
Phillips' judicial philosophy centers on the principle that "justice delayed is justice denied." She emphasizes the importance of running an efficient courtroom while ensuring that every individual is heard and treated with dignity and respect. Phillips is committed to professionalism and employs techniques to handle difficult interactions effectively.
Phillips has been re-elected multiple times, often running unopposed. Her re-election campaigns, including the most recent ones, highlight her broad support within the community and her reputation as a dedicated and effective judge.
Phillips has received endorsements from various organizations, including The Hispanic Vote, the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), the Broward Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).