Ariana Fajardo Orshan: New Chief Judge of Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida

In July, Ariana Fajardo Orshan was sworn in as Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, overseeing one of the busiest circuit courts in the nation with more than 125 judges serving Miami-Dade County. She succeeds Nushin G. Sayfie and was elected by her colleagues earlier this year, reflecting her deep experience and respect within the judiciary.

Born and raised in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, Judge Fajardo Orshan grew up in Miami Springs and earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. 

She began her legal career in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, progressing from misdemeanor to felony court and later teaching trial skills nationally and internationally. She also practiced matrimonial law, where she helped families navigate difficult transitions, before her appointment to the Circuit Court in 2012.

Judge Fajardo Orshan has served across the Criminal, Family, Unified Family and Civil divisions, including as Administrative Judge in the Unified Family Court. In 2018, she was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, becoming the first woman to lead the office and managing one of the nation’s largest US Attorney’s offices. She returned to the Eleventh Circuit in 2021 and served in the Circuit Civil Division until her election as Chief Judge.

As Chief Judge, she balances casework with administrative oversight, guiding court operations, budgets and technology initiatives while expanding access to justice across Miami-Dade. She has emphasized restoring judicial decorum, supporting her colleagues and innovating court processes to better serve the community.

Judge Fajardo Orshan spoke with Miami Today reporter Genevieve Bowen.

Read the full interview in this week’s print or digital edition of Miami Today. Full access is available exclusively to our subscribers. Click here to access your subscription or to subscribe!

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