Twelve of the 13 women sworn in last week.
The Jamaicans are Judge Cymonie Rowe (back row, third left); Judge Maxine Williams (second right); Judge Maxine Cheesman (back row, fourth right) and beside her attorney-at-law Allison Smith (fifth from right)
History has been created by a group of 13 black women in Florida, four of whom are Jamaicans, as they were sworn in last week to argue cases before the United States Supreme Court.
The Jamaicans include judges Maxine Cheesman and Cymonie Rowe as well as magistrate Maxine Williams and attorney-at-law Allison Smith.
They were sworn in at the Supreme Court in Washington DC. Five of the women are judges, and the other eight are attorneys. They have been added to the prestigious list of distinguished lawyers, from across the country, who can argue cases before the US Supreme Court.
“This was historic as never before has such a large group of black women come to the US Supreme Court to be inducted,” beamed Cheesman, who noted that it was also a significant achievement for the State of Florida.
The US Supreme Court employs lawyers, but they act as law clerks doing research for the nine justices. These law clerks cannot represent individuals at the Supreme Court.
However, those who appear before the nation’s highest court, like the 13 who were sworn in last week, must meet certain criteria before they can do so.
Of note, judges, like Cheesman, cannot practice or argue cases before the Supreme Court until they are no longer judges. It is an esteemed role that they look forward to after retiring from the bench.
Cheesman, a civil court judge in Florida, was called to the bench six years ago. She is no stranger to being a mover and shaker in the legal field. Born and raised in Kingston, she was the first black female Circuit Court judge elected in Palm Beach County. She has handled many cases — from real estate to probate to contracts.
The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County honoured Cheesman in 2012 for her pro bono work.
A former chemist, Cheesman transitioned into the legal profession 16 years ago. Now age 67, she looks forward to effecting transformative changes in the judicial field.
“To be a judge is the best way to serve the people. As a judge, I do my best to understand the issues and be fair and impartial,” she said.
She graduated with first-class honours from the University of the West Indies, Mona. In 1979, she migrated with her family to Miami.
She then graduated from Nova Southeastern University cum laude. She is also a member of the Palm Beach County Sherrie Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association.
When asked if she is aiming to become a US Supreme Court judge, Cheesman laughed and pointed out that she foresees a future working to help underserved communities and to assist more women to become attorneys.
