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Steve Leifman

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Steve Leifman
Image of Steve Leifman
Prior offices
Miami-Dade County Court

Education

Bachelor's

The American University, 1981

Law

Florida State University College of Law, 1986

Steve Leifman was a judge of the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. He left office on January 7, 2025.

Leifman ran for re-election for judge of the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Biography

Education

Leifman received his B.S. degree (Political Science) from The American University in 1981 and his J.D. degree from the Florida State University College of Law in 1986.[1][2]

Career

Leifman began his career working as a law clerk in 1984 and 1986. After he graduated from law school and was admitted to the bar in 1987, he became an Assistant Public Defender. He worked in that capacity until 1995, becoming a Special Assistant Public Defender and Acting Chief of the County Court Division. He first served on the County Court from 1995 to 1997. Then, after a brief stint as a sole practitioner in civil litigation, he returned to the court in 1998.[1][2]

Elections

2018

See also: Municipal elections in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2018)

General election

General election for Miami-Dade County Court

Incumbent Steve Leifman won election in the general election for Miami-Dade County Court on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
Image of Steve Leifman
Steve Leifman (Nonpartisan)

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Selection method

See also: Nonpartisan elections

Like the circuit courts, the Florida County Court selects its judges through nonpartisan elections. County judges serve six-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to retain their seats.[3][4]

In the event of a midterm vacancy, the county courts employ the same assisted appointment method that the appellate courts use. Judges selected this way serve for at least one year, after which they must run for re-election.[5]

Qualifications
To serve on one of these courts, a judge must be:

  • a qualified elector;
  • a state resident;
  • under the age of 75; and
  • admitted to practice law in the state for five years prior to assuming the bench.

Note that this final requirement—that judges be qualified to practice law in the state for at least five years—is the one piece that breaks from the qualifications of Florida appellate judges, who need a minimum of 10 years. In counties of 40,000 people or fewer, this requirement is waived altogether.[3]

2012

Leifman was unopposed and was automatically re-elected following the Nov. 6, 2012 general election.[6]

See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012

See also

External links

Footnotes