Meet Judge Tanya Brinkley

Judge Tanya Brinkley was elected in 2012 by more than 60% of the Miami-Dade County voters. In 2018, she was re-elected without opposition. Recently, Judge Brinkley was elevated by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Miami-Dade Circuit Court, and now she is seeking retention.

Judge Brinkley serves as a Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge in the criminal division where she presides over the most serious criminal cases. She previously served in the civil division handling breach of contract actions, personal injury protection, and property insurance litigation, among others. Judge Brinkley was the Associate Administrative Judge of the domestic violence division and was regularly involved in domestic violence training for judges, lawyers, and medical professionals. She started her judicial career in the criminal division at the South Dade Justice Center where she worked with community leaders to initiate many programs of special interest to the South Dade community. Judge Brinkley has presided over more than 75 jury trials.

Judge Brinkley has been a lawyer for 23 years. Prior to joining the judiciary, she practiced law at Brinkley and Henrys, P.A. for 16 years. As a practitioner, Judge Brinkley litigated in the areas of family, criminal, and civil law. She specialized in complex litigation including family matters involving high income parties, celebrities, and entertainers; and criminal defense involving murder, drug trafficking, sex crimes, and economic crimes. Judge Brinkley also served in the quasi-judicial role of a Miami-Dade Traffic Magistrate for 8 years leading up to her 2012 election. She has built upon her years of experience as a litigator, Traffic Magistrate, and her unwavering commitment to this community, to best serve you as a Circuit Court Judge. She is experienced and demonstrates fairness, patience, and respect. Judge Brinkley serves us well and we value her commitment to our community.

Judge Brinkley graduated from Howard University School of Business with a B.B.A. in Finance and earned her J.D. from University of Miami School of Law. Prior to law school, she worked in the insurance and financial services industries. Judge Brinkley understands business, and the legal needs of the Miami-Dade citizens.

Education

• Howard University, B.B.A., Finance 1991
  
• University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1995
  

Employment

• Circuit Court Judge, Criminal Division (2019 to present)
  
• County Court Judge, Civil Division (2019)
  
• Associate Administrative Judge, Domestic Violence Division (2017 to 2019)
  
• County Court Judge, Domestic Violence Division (2016 to 2017)
  
• County Court Judge, Criminal Division (2013 to 2016)
  
• Miami-Dade Traffic Magistrate (2004 to 2013)
  
• Managing Partner, Brinkley & Henrys, P.A. (1996 to 2013)
  

Associations

• The Florida Bar (Admitted 1996); Traffic Court Rules Committee Member (2007 to 2011); Student Education and Admission to the Bar Committee (2018 to present)
  
• American Bar Association Judicial Intern Opportunity Program 11th Judicial Circuit Court Chair (2017 to present)
  
• Dade County Bar Association Women of Distinction Gala Honorees Committee Co-Chair (2017 to present)
  
• Dade County Bar Association Criminal Court Committee Member (2009 to 2011)
  
• Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, Treasurer (2009 to 2011); Chair, Professional Development Committee (2007 to 2008)
  

Membership

• Dade County Bar Association
  
• Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association
• National Association of Women Judges
• Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association
• Cuban American Bar Association
• National Bar Association
• Florida Association of Women Lawyers

Appointments

• Miami-Dade, Florida Canvassing Board - Board Member (2016 to 2019)
  
• City of Miami Gardens, Florida Canvassing Board - Board Member (Special Election 2016)
• City of Miami Beach, Florida Canvassing Board - Chair (General Election 2017)
• City of Miami Civilian Investigative Panel – Member (2004 to 2007)
• City of Miami Property and Asset Review Panel – Member (2001 to 2005)

Community

• Women’s Breast Health Initiative
  
• Miami-Dade Teen Court
• Honey Shine
  
• Jack and Jill Orators Judge
• Miami-Dade Ethical Governance Days
• FIU Mock Trial Judge
• Judicial Town Hall
• Countless Community Panels

Honors

• 2019 Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association Community Pillar Award
• 2017 Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board and Commission for Women-Women of Substance Honoree
• 2017 Legacy Magazine Miami's Most Powerful and Influential Black Leaders Honoree
• 2010 Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association Pro Bono Award Recipient
• 2009 Eleventh Judicial Circuit Ray H. Pearson Pro Bono Guardian Ad Litem Award Recipient
• 2009 Legacy Magazine 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business in South Florida Honoree

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