Judicial Candidate Tamar Hamilton Discusses Her Civil Litigation and Community Service on The Road to the Bench

By N. Street

Tamar Hamilton is an attorney, Special Magistrate, Adjunct Law Professor, and community leader with over 12 years of legal experience serving Broward County. A Broward resident for more than 25 years, she has dedicated her career to upholding justice, protecting families and property rights, and educating the community. Tamar is a candidate for Broward County Circuit Court Judge, Group 52, committed to serving with fairness, integrity, and respect for the rule of law. Learn more at www.TamarHamilton.com.

Hamilton responded to Hy-Lo News’ candidate questionnaire, sharing insights into her legal experience, judicial philosophy and the qualities she believes she would bring to the bench. Here’s what she had to say. 

What judicial group are you running for?

Circuit Court, Group 52

When is your election date?

Early voting: August 8-16, 2026; Election Day: August 18, 2026

In plain language, what kinds of decisions would a judge in this position make? How could those decisions affect the daily lives of local residents—even people who never enter a courtroom?

A Circuit Court Judge makes important decisions that affect people, families, and the community. Judges help solve disagreements, protect people’s rights, and make sure everyone is treated fairly under the law. Even if you never go to court, a judge’s decisions help keep our communities safe, protect freedoms, and build trust in the justice system.

How long have you been a lawyer, and what kinds of legal work have you done (prior to this campaign)?

I have been a lawyer for more than 12 years and have dedicated my career to serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Broward County. My practice has included real estate law, probate and estate planning, business law, foreclosure litigation, and civil litigation. I have also served as a Special Magistrate and an Adjunct Law Professor, helping resolve legal disputes fairly while educating and mentoring the next generation of attorneys.

List 2 cases where you were lead or co-counsel and why they are significant.

Mortgage Foreclosure Litigation (Lead Counsel): I represented lenders and property owners in numerous mortgage foreclosure matters from the filing of the complaint through final judgment. These cases involved evidentiary hearings, dispositive motions, bench trials, settlement negotiations, and post-judgment proceedings. This experience strengthened my courtroom advocacy, legal analysis, and understanding of civil procedure. Real Estate and Probate Litigation (Lead Counsel): I have represented clients in contested real estate and probate matters involving quiet title actions, contract disputes, estate administration, and property ownership issues. I have handled hearings, mediations, negotiated settlements, and bench trials, working to resolve complex disputes while protecting my clients’ legal rights. Throughout my career, I have regularly appeared before the court in evidentiary and non-evidentiary hearings, mediations, and bench trials. My experience as a Special Magistrate has further strengthened my ability to evaluate evidence, apply the law impartially, and issue well-reasoned decisions.

How would you or do you make sure every person has a fair chance to be heard?

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. I make sure each person has a meaningful opportunity to be heard by listening carefully, remaining impartial, treating everyone equally, and applying the law consistently. A fair courtroom is one where every person knows they have been heard, I ensure instructions are clear about the process, and people can trust that decisions are based on the facts and the law, not on personal opinions or outside influences.

What community service, volunteer work, teaching, mentoring, or other activities have helped you understand the people this court serves?

Throughout my career, I have been committed to serving the Broward County community both inside and outside the courtroom. As an Adjunct Law Professor at St. Thomas University College of Law, I have mentored and trained future attorneys. As a Special Magistrate, I have worked to resolve disputes fairly and impartially. I have also devoted countless hours to educating the public through free legal workshops on estate planning, homeownership, and consumer rights. My service as Immediate Past President of the Jamaican American Bar Association and my involvement with schools, churches, civic organizations, and community groups have given me the opportunity to work with people from many different backgrounds. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of the challenges people face and reinforced the importance of treating every person with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Judges must sometimes make decisions they personally dislike. Please give an example of a time when you followed the law or your professional duties even though you had personal concerns

Throughout my career, I have represented clients whose desired outcome could not be achieved because the law or the facts did not support it. Although I understood their frustration, my professional duty required me to provide honest legal advice, even when it was not what they wanted to hear. I explained the law, discussed their options, and followed my ethical obligations rather than pursuing a position without legal merit. That experience reinforced an important principle: lawyers, and especially judges, must be guided by the law, not by personal feelings or desired outcomes.

List current memberships in civic, social, business and social organizations.

Professional Bar Associations: The Florida Bar, General Legal Council of Jamaica, Broward County Bar Association, Jamaican American Bar Association (Immediate Past President; current member), T.J. Reddick Bar Association, Caribbean Bar Association. Academic: St. Thomas University School of Law Alumni Association. Civic and Community Organizations: Women of Color Institute

Is there anything you would like to share with voters that we did not ask?

I am committed to serving every person who comes before the court with fairness, integrity, and respect. My goal is to uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of all individuals, and ensure that every person has confidence that they have been heard and treated fairly.

Why do you deserve the vote? Please answer with references to your experience and public record, not endorsements.

I deserve your vote because I bring more than 12 years of legal experience, including extensive courtroom litigation and numerous bench trials. As an experienced litigator, Special Magistrate, and Adjunct Law Professor, I have dedicated my career to resolving disputes fairly, applying the law impartially, and serving the public with integrity. My record reflects a commitment to fairness, professionalism, and equal justice, and I am prepared to serve Broward County as its next Circuit Court Judge.

Hy-Lo News wanted to help South Florida residents understand the experience, public record, and responsibilities of candidates seeking judicial office. Judges matter, and impact the day-to-day life of everyone in our community. All candidates in groups 5, 11, 12, 35, 52, and 69 were invited to participate and were given adequate time to reply. If a candidate did not submit responses, they were not included in our coverage.

Due to ethical constraints set by Florida law, incumbents are able to speak about their cases, and therefore were given three additional questions to speak directly to their own records.

Each candidate has their own profile. Please check them all out. This is a nonpartisan candidate profile and not an endorsement from this outlet.