Get to know Jennifer
All judicial candidates took the Oath of Admission when they became an attorney AND they signed the Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office before running for judge. Jennifer has always and will continue to fulfill her Oath and the Judicial Canons - for herself and in the service of others.
A Message from Jennifer
Thank you for taking the time to get to know a bit more about me and why I want to serve our community as Suwannee County Judge.
I was born and raised in Live Oak. I grew up under challenging circumstances, which led me to push myself to excel - I did that through academics. Hard work and service to others were instilled in me every day, which compelled me towards my ultimate goal.
I recognize that our judicial system should always be fair and accountable to all Suwannee County citizens. If elected, I promise you that everyone - no matter where you come from, who you know, or how much money you have, will be treated equally.
I have the experience to run an efficient courtroom, knowing that every case is a person’s day in court. I am committed to following the law. With more than a decade of quasi-judicial service to our community, I have presided over more than 20,000 trials and hearings as the Third Circuit Child Support Hearing Officer and General Magistrate.
My promise to every Suwannee County resident is that I will bring my experience, dedication, and commitment to the bench. The residents of Suwannee County deserve a decisive and impartial Judge who is qualified, who leads, and will work hard for them – a Judge who does not have an appearance of impropriety.
Running a courtroom requires patience, the ability to listen, the ability to understand complicated matters, and the compassion to help those who are dealing with life-altering situations. I have that experience - I've been running my own courtroom as the Hearing Officer and Magistrate since 2010.
On August 23, 2022, you will have the opportunity to elect a new Suwannee County Judge. Hopefully, you will never have to appear in my courtroom, but if you do, I will be prepared, professional, and honest. I will give you the time that you deserve. I will listen and render a fair judgment.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about my experience and qualifications to serve you as Suwannee County Judge.
I am asking you for your vote on August 23, 2022.
-Jennifer
About Us
Jennifer was born and raised in Live Oak. She graduated from Suwannee High School as the Valedictorian, attended USF for undergrad, where she graduated with the Highest Honors, and attended UF Law, where she graduated with Honors. Proud to call Live Oak home, Jennifer and her husband, Kevin, have a five-year-old daughter, Kendall. With almost thirty years with the State, Kevin works at Suwannee CI. Kendall attends Suwannee Pineview Elementary, where Jennifer is very active in the APT (22-23 secretary) and the District Advisory Council. Jennifer learned about volunteering in the schools from her mom, Robbie, who retired after thirty years of service in the Suwanne County School System. The Griffins attend First United Methodist Church.
Legal Work Experience
Third Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office 2005 - 2008
Handled thousands of cases.
Tried jury trials on everything from misdemeanor to murder.
Private Practice 2008 - 2010
Handled criminal, civil and family cases
Child Support Hearing Officer
Presided over Title IV-D child support cases.
Presided over more than 16,000 trials and hearings
General Magistrate 2016 - 2022
Presided over more than 4,000 trials and hearings in the areas of
foreclosure, probate, guardianship, and domestic relations cases.
Contributions to the Legal Profession
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Courses Jennifer has taught:
- Microsoft Word: Pro Tips to Save you Time and Energy 12/14/21 state-wide CLE presentation
- Ethical and Practical Tips for the Courtroom and Your Practice - 11/5/21 presentation for The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono recognition breakfast.
- Professionalism Before the Court - From Practice to Procedure to Everyday Courtesies
- Why Would Anyone Hack ME? Cybersecurity in the Time of COVID-19 for the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner
- Conducting Remote Proceedings: From Presenting Evidence During Hearings and Trials to Participating in Zoom Mediations
- Lighten the Load. Automation, Integration and Paperless Strategies
- Etiquette for the Courtroom: Ethical and Practical Tips in a Digital World
- This Really Happened: Taking the High Road of Civility and Professionalism
- Microsoft Word - Tips And Tricks to Make Microsoft Word Work For You, Not Against You
- Free Tech Tips You Didn't Know You Needed
- How to Handle Family Law Cases Involving the Department of Revenue
Jennifer led the production of "Mentoring with the Masters," wherein Jennifer interviewed dozens of the legal elite and participated in filming and editing many other videos - approximately fifty videos in all.
Legal articles Jennifer wrote and were published:
- Keeping the Cogs Turning: Resources for Solo and Small-Firm Practitioners, The Florida Bar Journal (feature story)
- Message from the Chair, The Florida Law Practice Link, Summer 2018
- Message from the Chair, The Florida Law Practice Link, Fall 2018
- Message from the Chair, The Florida Law Practice Link, Spring 2019
Chair of Solo and Small Firm Section, 2018 - 2019. Jennifer's biggest contribution to the section is the creation of the "Wednesday Wisdom" CLE series. Wednesday Wisdom is a monthly free CLE for section members. Jennifer created the concept and has moderated over three dozen CLE's to date.
Locally, Jennifer founded the Young Lawyer's Section, where she served as President from 2009 - 2014. As part of programming, Jennifer hosted several Afternoons at the Courthouse, Bench Bar Breakfasts, and CLE's.
Quoted in The Florida Bar News:
Third Circuit Talks Pandemic Ups, Downs
YLD Website Provides Opportunities for Those Who Seek Guidance
YLD Youtube Videos Provide Mentoring Advice
Interviewed by Legal Talk Network:
The Florida Bar Tech Show: Riding the Technology Wave
Florida Bar Winter Meeting: Jennifer Kuyrkendall on Technology and Leadership
Filmed and produced How to Schedule a Meeting or Webinar, Using Zoom for the Practice Resource Center for The Florida Bar.
Memberships
The Florida Bar (2005 - 2021)
The Florida Bar Foundation Fellow
Third Judicial Circuit Bar Association
- President (2015 - 2016)
- Vice-President (2014-2015)
- Secretary (2012 - 2014)
- Young Lawyer Board Representative (2009 - 2015)
- Executive Council 2013-2021
- Emeritus, Chair of Wednesday Wisdom Series (2020 - 2021)
- Immediate Past Chair, Chair of Wednesday Wisdom Series (2019 - 2020)
- Chair of Solo & Small Firm Section (2018 - 2019)
- Chair-Elect of Solo & Small Firm Section (2017 - 2018)
- Secretary of Solo & Small Firm Section (2016 - 2017)
- Treasurer of Solo & Small Firm Section (2015 - 2016)
- Conference Chair (2017, 2016, 2015)
Family Law Section of The Florida Bar (2010 - present)
Middle District of Florida Federal Court (2009 - present)
The Association of Florida Magistrates and Hearing Officers, Inc. (2019 - present)
Rotary Club of Live Oak (2013 - present) Paul Harris Fellow
- Secretary and Treasurer (2018 - 2021)
- President (2017 - 2018)
- President-Elect (2016 - 2017)
- President-Nominee (2015 - 2016)
- Club Service Chair (2014 - 2015)
Literacy Rotarian Action Group
Advent Christian Village Mentoring Scholarship Program Advisory Council
Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce
National Rifle Association (NRA)
Suwannee County Schools District Advisory Council 2021 to present
Past Memberships:
Suwannee Primary School Advisory Council (2005 - 2016)
- Chair 2009 - 2016
Suwannee Elementary School Advisory Council (2019 - 2020)
Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar (2005 - 2018)
James C. Adkins, Jr., Inn of Court (2013 - 2017)
The Florida Bar, Third Circuit Grievance Committee (2014 - 2016)
- Vice Chair
The Florida Bar Vision 2016 - Bar Admissions (2013 - 2016)
Young Lawyer's Division, Board of Governor's Representative (2009 - 2015)
- Chairperson: Transition to Practice 2010-2013
- Liaison to the Florida Bar Family Law Section
- Liaison to the Florida Bar General Practice Solo & Small Firm
- Liaison to UF Law School
- Committees:
- Annual Meeting
- Transition to Practice
- Practicing With Professionalism
- Continuing Legal Education
- Moot Court
- Executive
- Professionalism
- CLE
Third Judicial Circuit Young Lawyers Section, Founder and President (2009 - 2014)
The Florida Bar Statewide Advertising Grievance Committee (2010 - 2013)
The Florida Bar Ad Hoc Committee to Study SCOPE Program (2012 2013)
Altrusa International of Lake City (2009 - 2011)
Third Circuit Child Advocacy Center, Board of Directors (2008 - 2010)
American Bar Association
FAWL - Third Judicial Circuit (2021-22)
Service
Jennifer has volunteered for multiple years with the following organizations:
Justice Teaching Volunteer
Law Day Volunteer
Constitution Day Volunteer
Early Learning Matters Pre-K Reading Volunteer
Rotary Purple Pinkie
Rotary Service at Boy's Ranch open house
Rotary Peace Garden Clean Up
Rotary serves residents at Dacier Manor
Single year projects:
As Rotary President, Jennifer applied for and received a grant to host, "Live Oak Gets Back to Work" - a highly successful job fair that involved hundreds of job applicants and approximately forty community employers.
Education
Suwannee High School, Valedictorian, Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors)
University of South Florida, B.A. in Finance, Minor in Music Performance, Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors)
- Outstanding Leadership and Involvement Award
- USF Honors Program
- USF Ambassadors, Mentoring Program Chairperson Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
- Mortar Board, President
- Allen Reeves Scholarship
- Ethics in Business Scholarship
- Dean’s List multiple semesters
- National Conference on Undergraduate Research 1999, 2000, 2001
- National Collegiate Honors Council Conference 1999
University of Florida, J.D., Cum Laude (Honors)
- Mary Elizabeth Raimer Fellowship recipient
- UF Law Grant recipient
- American Bar Association
- Mortar Board National Honor Society Scholarship
- John Marshall Bar Association
- Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Team; Special Events Vice Chair
- Trial Team; Vice-President Intramural Competition
- Teaching Assistantship - Legal Research & Writing & Appellate Advocacy
- Book Awards: Criminal Law Clinic & Legal Drafting
Jennifer for Judge
Copyright © 2021 Committee to elect Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin for Suwannee County Judge. Paid for and approved by Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Nonpartisan, for Suwannee County Judge - All Rights Reserved.
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