The Black legal community recently rallied around Judge Teretha Lundy Thomas, the only Black female judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit for Miami-Dade County. Black lawyers were outraged that John Rodriguez, a Cuban lawyer, at the urging of prominent Cuban Attorney Hector Lombana and his political consultants, targeted well-respected Judge Teretha Lundy Thomas because she is a Black female and therefore deemed an easy foe in a county-wide election.
Thomas is the only Black female judge of the 120 judges who serve in the 11th Judicial Circuit. She is widely respected by the legal community and her fellow judges and serves as an administrative judge. Roland Sanchez-Medina, past president of the Cuban American Bar Association, spoke to Rodriguez to urge that he reconsider his selection of judicial opponents. Rodriguez, allegedly, insisted that he carefully selected Judge Thomas, because she is a Black female and not as well known to the legal community because she does not attend the numerous bar association receptions.
Hector Lombana, an alleged proponent of diversity, stated that he advised Rodriguez to drop out of the race against Tanya Brinkley, a Black female, and run against Judge Thomas. Several prominent Black attorneys requested that Lombana urge his candidate to choose another race because Thomas has served with distinction on the bench and should not be targeted because of her race and gender. Rodriguez has refused to switch races.
In response to this clear attack on diversity in the bench, Cheryl Linton Robinson organized a fundraiser for Thomas that included a who’s who of Black attorneys. The event was co-sponsored in part by H.T. Smith (past President of National Bar Association), Marlon Hill (Past President of Caribbean Bar Association), Bill Robinson (Past President of Wilkie Ferguson Bar Association), Kertch Konze (Past President Haitian Lawyers Association), Neil DeLeon (Past President of Caribbean Bar Association), Christina McKinnon (Past President of Wilkie), Kisasha Sharp (General Counsel NAACP), Markenzy LaPointe (Partner Boies Schiller), Reginald Clyne (Past President of Wilkie Ferguson), Damian Thomas and Lynn Washington.
The Black political leadership and bar leaders came to the event to show their support led by Former Commissioner Betty Ferguson, City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, Mayor Andre Pierre, Congressional Candidate Rudy Moise, Rod Vereen (Former Candidate for Congress), Mary Jo Toussaint (President of Haitian Lawyers Association), Schulyer Smith (incoming President Caribbean Bar Association) and Ronda Vangates (former candidate for School Board). Commissioner Ferguson addressed the attendees and urged everyone to fight against this clear attack on a well-respected member of the judiciary. Vereen, who is being urged by many to run for State Attorney, spoke about his experience before Thomas who “put him in his place when he tried to act up” and ran a fair trial.
By Reginald Clyne
Miami Times columnist
shame shame shame
March 16, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Everyone is outraged, African American female Judge is targeted by Cuban attorney, Esquire Hector Lambana says alot-but just to whom, so did attorney Roland Sanchez Medina- he started this hysteria so says the columist, and out of this outrage a fundraiser is born because of hysteria caused by unsubstantiated rumor by attorney Roland Sanchez-Medina and according to the columist- attorney Hector Lambana. Another thought for the day- alll these outraged lawyers that have banded together because of an unsubstantiated rumor- it’s obvious the reporter didnt confirm his story by doing his homework but shame on you so called “seekers of fact” for not getting a comment from that “cuban” lawyer John Rodriguez!!!!
Michelle
March 19, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Wow, I was a bit disappointed when I read this article for many reasons. While the judicial make- up in Miami does lack black women, I was disturbed to see that you chose to write and expose it in such a manner as to insinuate that black women are weak and don’t have the drive and/or tenacity to win a contested race. In addition, it’s almost as if you’re predicting that Judge Lundy is going to lose the race. At what point are we as black people going to wake up and stand together and support our own just like all other races of people do? Why is it that all those black lawyers (i.e. H.T. Smith, Marlon Hill, etc.) didn’t step up and support Judge Lundy from the onset by donating and/or coordinating a fundraiser? Why wait for her to get an opponent?
I think all too often WE get a little comfortable in our positions and feel that we don’t have to keep working to maintain what we have or we don’t feel the need to support one another, but yet we’re quick to host and participate in non-black candidates fundraising events and donate to their campaign.
Again, I’m not sure if some of the things mentioned are actual facts or if they’re just your opinions. Unfortunately, we DO NOT live in a post racial society and racism does still exist however I’m not sure if THIS SITUATION would qualify as racism. I find it difficult to believe that Rodriguez actually told you he got into Lundy’s race “because she is a Black female and therefore deemed an easy foe in a county-wide election.
Regardless of whether or not your claims are fact or speculation, one thing is fact and that is UNTIL WE as Black people get out of the selfish slave mentality and stop being envious, jealous and rid ourselves of the willie lynch syndrome, we will continue to struggle, complain, and be victims instead of victors! So instead of perpetuating such a claim and crying racism, we should stand together, AT ALL TIMES, just as every other race of people do! Then and only then will could be victorious!
Michelle
March 19, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Oh and another thing, after doing some fact checking, it appears that every other incumbent candidate has money in his/her campaign account. Maybe you and Judge Lundy just assumed that because she’s been on the bench for so long, that she is irreplaceable? Again, I say, we ARE NOT living in a post racial society, so until we clean up our act, then we should refrain from pointing the finger accusing another minority of sabotaging us when we are in fact sabotaging ourselves. So as usual, here we are again, playing catch up, when we should always be prepared for battle.
Lawren Boykin
March 24, 2012 at 9:27 am
The position as a judge which reflects the cultural diversity of the 11th Judical Circuit is essential to understanding the the challenges eyhnic groups face.
Why would anyone consider efforts to create a republic in Miami Dade?
Sanford, Florida today shows the importance of the need for understanding contributions of each indidvidual to our community.
We have got to learn how we will work together and respect one another in order to survive. We are challenged to live together as adults and not as little children.
Judge Terethe Lundy Thomas mustnot be distracted with negative rumors to her character – which she has proven false, as her character has been impeccable for years.
To Judge Thomas I recall a quote by Lena Horne which may inspire you – “It’s not the load that breaks you down – it the way you carry it.”
Wilson
August 15, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Teretha Thomas is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She is an unfair and incompassionate judge. Ask her former bailiff of many years who was fired by Judge Thomas because he showed compassion and empathy to a pro se litigant which the judge had ruled against.