(09-23-02)
Jurist of year says be 'up front and honest' in court
Aja Whitaker
Staff Writer
CLEARWATER — Judge Nelly Khouzam urges the public not to believe everything they see on television, especially with regard to courtroom dramas.
She also hopes that high-profile cases that generate extensive media attention do not erode faith in a judicial system that some have lost confidence in throughout recent years.
The soft-spoken native of Egypt sits on the bench in the criminal division of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida in Clearwater. Khouzam imposes strict rules about courtroom procedure and behavior but said she does not raise her voice while serving as a criminal administrative judge and a judge for habitual offenders.
"I hope to continue working hard and trying to dispense justice in a fair manor," said Khouzam. "It is an awesome responsibility we judges have. Once you have this black robe around you, you have to be careful."
Taking individual responsibility seriously while maintaining high industry standards can help elevate the profession as a whole, she said.
The American Board of Trial Advocates recently recognized Khouzam for career achievements and named her Florida Jurist of the Year. Membership in the organization is obtained by invitation only, and the jurist of the year honor goes to a member with an understanding of issues and experience in handling complex litigation.
The award winner also must have completed 20 jury trials in civil litigation.
"In civil cases, because of the complexity of issues, it makes sense to settle the cases," she said. "A lot of people can't get to that number."
The American Board of Trial Advocates is comprised of an equal number of trial lawyers representing plaintiffs and defendants.
Khouzam was "humbled" by the statewide award that followed a nomination from the organization's Tampa chapter and a unanimous vote from Florida's 11 chapters. Prior to her appointment to the bench in June 1994, Khouzam was the only female member in the Tampa chapter.
Khouzam, along with six other felony judges, carries an average caseload of 900 pending cases per year and has a typical 30-page morning calendar of 60 cases.
To maintain order and ensure that cases are dealt with efficiently and fairly, Khouzam set guidelines for lawyers in her courtroom.
She asks that all parties be on time and refuses to entertain negotiations on the morning of a trial. Each lawyer is asked to follow an argument, response and reply sequence to eliminate unnecessary discussion.
Before becoming a judge, the University of Florida College of Law graduate was a staff attorney with the Florida Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland, a shareholder at Fowler White Boggs Banker PA in St. Petersburg and a partner at Silberman & Khouzam PA in Clearwater, a firm she started with her husband.
When she is not handing out rulings and dispensing justice, Khouzam spends time with her husband, Morris Silberman, who also is a judge, and their 4-year-old daughter.
Khouzam's advice to young lawyers is simple: Be prepared and be honest.
"They need to work very hard to maintain their professionalism," she said. "All too often people get involved in difficult cases and you have to maintain your credibility. Judges won't remember whether you won or lost, but they will remember whether or not you were prepared. There is nothing wrong with a young lawyer saying, 'I don't know' or 'I will try to look into it.' Be up front and honest."
And the question is, what is "in a fair manor"?
:-)