Announcements

2022 Chief Justice’s Distinguished Service Award Recipient Chief Judge Bonnie J. Helms

KEY WEST, FL— The 16th Judicial Circuit is pleased to announce that Chief Judge Bonnie J. Helms is the recipient of the 2022 Chief Justice’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award. This award is presented annually to one judge in the State of Florida to honor and recognize outstanding service as it relates to the support of pro bono legal services. The award will be presented by Chief Justice Charles Canady at a ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida in Tallahassee on January 20, 2022.

Judge Helms was elected to the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court bench in 2014 and ran without opposition in 2020. She currently sits in the Family and Civil Divisions in Key West and beginning January 1, 2022, she will be assigned to the Family Division in Marathon. She was recently elected by her colleagues as Chief Judge for a two-year term which began July 1, 2021. Judge Helms is also the current chair of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee, which educates local attorneys on the need to provide pro bono services and promotes to the public the benefits of pro bono services that local attorneys and Legal Services of the Florida Keys provide through clinics and individual representation.
The Distinguished Judicial Service award is presented at the annual Pro Bono Award Ceremony in Tallahassee, in which the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Bar also honor and recognize individual, circuit, Voluntary Bar, Law Firm, Young Lawyers Division and Distinguished Federal Judicial Service recipients for their efforts in ensuring access to justice for those who could otherwise not afford it.

2025 Employee of the Quarter (January-March) – Lisa Winne

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Lisa Winne – Employee of the 3^rd Quarter (January-March 2025).

Please join us in congratulating Lisa Winne, Senior Case Manager for Drug Court, on being selected as the Employee of the Quarter for January-March 2025.

Since joining the 16th Judicial Circuit in April 2003, Lisa has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills, professionalism, and an untiring commitment to both the Drug Court Team and the judiciary. Her passion for her work and steadfast dedication have made her a constant source of inspiration and a valued team member.

Over the past two decades, Lisa has proven to be indispensable to the 16^th Circuit. Her contributions continue to enhance the court’s operations. In her role as Senior Case Manager, she supports the Drug Court programs and staff with a broad range of responsibilities, including special projects, research studies, and the development of reports aimed at monitoring, evaluating, and improving our program operations and services throughout Monroe County.

Lisa plays a pivotal role in participant intake, case management, and ensuring program compliance. She maintains the Drug Court database with precision, capturing critical data and performance indicators as outlined by the Florida Supreme Court’s Task Force on Treatment-Based Drug Courts. She also assists the Drug Court laboratory with sample collection and client paperwork processing.

Lisa approaches her responsibilities with professionalism, integrity, and exceptional organizational skills. Working independently out of the Plantation Key office, she requires minimal supervision and consistently goes above and beyond in her duties. She treats all Drug Court participants with dignity, worth, and respect-core values that lie at the heart of our court’s vision to be accessible, fair, effective, responsive, and accountable.

Lisa’s strong communication skills lead to her clear and effective ability to present participant status updates to the Drug Court Judge. During those updates, her commitment to each participant’s accountability to their individualized plan and their ultimate success is evident to the Court and the drug court participants.

Lisa’s dedication, attention to detail, and tireless pursuit of excellence make her an integral part of our team. We are proud to recognize Lisa’s outstanding service and celebrate this well-earned honor as Employee of the Quarter, which reflects her enduring impact on the 16th Judicial Circuit and the lives of those we serve.

2024 Employee of the Quarter (October-December) – Julie Wiktorek

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Julie Wiktorek, Court Reporter II, on being selected as the Employee of the Quarter for October–December 2024!

Julie has been an integral member of the Court Reporting Services Team since 2013, serving as the sole stenographer for the 16th Judicial Circuit. She holds the prestigious Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification, reflecting her expertise and commitment to excellence in court reporting.

In her role, Julie is responsible for creating verbatim transcripts of court proceedings—a task she executes with unmatched meticulousness and professionalism. As part of her responsibilities, she provides support across all three courthouses, whenever needed, ensuring that every statutorily required hearing and trial is covered seamlessly and without interruption.

Julie’s extensive knowledge and dedication have elevated the performance of the Court Reporting Services Team and the circuit as a whole. She is a trusted expert in reporting and transcript preparation, consistently delivering accurate and meticulously formatted records. Colleagues turn to Julie as a trusted resource for her extensive knowledge in areas such as language, audio, formatting, and beyond.

A master of her craft, Julie exemplifies speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Her flawless documentation is the result of years of dedication and a relentless commitment to refining her skills. Even in the face of a demanding workload, Julie willingly steps up to assist in any capacity, including supporting the “digital” side of operations, such as recording and annotating live hearings.

Julie’s positive attitude, professionalism, and unwavering pursuit of excellence make her an invaluable asset to the 16th Judicial Circuit. Her dedication not only ensures the highest quality of service but also inspires those around her.

We are deeply grateful for Julie’s outstanding contributions and are thrilled to celebrate her well-earned recognition as Employee of the Quarter.