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Presented by The Committee to Elect Clarissa Harrell for County Court Judge
Paid by Clarissa Harrell for County Court Judge - Group 6
** PLEASE VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION ON AUGUST 20, 2024 **
Community Endorsements
"I am an attorney and former City Council Member of the City of Cape Canaveral. As an attorney, I am keenly aware that the most qualified individual must fill this judicial position. We need judges with vast courtroom experience who are compassionate and caring in the manner by which they administer justice. You have a candidate before you that is unquestionably of the highest quality. Clarissa Harrell is an individual who is universally well regarded in our legal community.
During my 33 years of private practice, I have interacted with Clarissa on numerous occasions. I can attest to her unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice. She approaches every case with a profound sense of compassion and care, insuring that every individual who enters her courtroom will be treated fairly and with respect. Her extensive courtroom experience demonstrates her proficiency in navigating intricate legal matters and finding solutions that are rooted in law and fairness.
Clarissa's reputation as a respected and esteemed figure in our community is well-deserved, and her impact extends far beyond the confines of legal practice. In the search for a County Court Judge who embodies integrity, empathy, and profound legal expertise, Clarissa Harrell stands as a prime candidate. Her ability to make well-informed and principled decisions, coupled with her dedication to public service, make her an outstanding choice. I wholeheartedly recommend Clarissa for this esteemed role and urge you to give her your most favorable consideration. I believe her election to County Court Judge would be a tremendous asset to our community and the judicial system as a whole." -- Tony Hernandez, III, Esquire
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"My mother is one of a kind. Who could be more aptly suited for this position? Throughout my life, a common theme is the referral to my mother's judgment. She is able to approach each situation with impartiality and see things as they are. Her presence is uplifting to say the least; her spirit is sunshine. The term 'razor sharp' would best describe her intellect. A glance at her work experience reveals innumerable accomplishments. It is clear she has excelled in her service to the law, and this outstanding work should continue at a higher level. She is fueled only by a genuine care for the community." --Sgt. Bradford Harrell, U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division
"I have known Mrs. Harrell for many years, professionally and personally. We met when we both were starting our young legal careers and were members of the Young Lawyers Division of the Brevard County Bar Association. Over the years, I watched her gain experience in various areas of the legal field. She immediately gravitated to the State Attorney’s Office, however, later expanded her field of experience by gaining research experience and first hand observations of trials as a trial court staff attorney; advocating for children as a Guardian Ad Litem attorney and representing Department of Children and Family (DCF) in child welfare cases; delving into the more complex areas of civil litigation; opening her own law firm; and ultimately returning to her true passion, the courtroom at the State Attorney’s Office. Mrs. Harrell’s personable disposition, eloquent writing and speaking skills, and vast experience led me to ask her to come work with me. During her time at my firm, I was able to personally observe her dedicated work ethic, her analytical legal skills, and how she fostered meaningful relationships with clients. Throughout the 30 years Mrs. Harrell has been a lawyer, Mrs. Harrell has not only been committed to the rule of law, but also to the legal community. Her peers elected her to be the Brevard County Bar Association President, which reflects the confidence our legal community has in Mrs. Harrell. Without any hesitation, I can highly recommend Clarissa Harrell for the position of county judge. She has the years of experience and temperament to continue to serve the 18th Judicial Circuit with character, competence and commitment."
--Joan Berry Nassar, Esquire
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"I met Mrs. Harrell at Freedom 7 Elementary School when I was seven years old. Mrs. Harrell became my teacher halfway through my first grade year. She may not understand how important she was to me. She came into our class and was able to change our perspective on learning. She was able to help us excel and learn while also having fun. She was also able to help a first grade class learn proper etiquette which helped many students in further years. In my personal experience she picked up on how I was feeling after an event at home and made me feel heard and comfortable. I believe Mrs. Harrell would be an exceptional candidate for the county court judge position. I also believe that her history in law as being a lawyer combined with her experience as a first grade teacher would give her a well-rounded perspective in the seat of a judge. Her ability to develop my first grade mind as a child has helped to develop my 13 year old mind into a young adult that has integrity. Not electing Mrs. Harrell to this position would be a mistake, as she clearly demonstrates all the abilities needed to hold this position." --Cameron M., International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program
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"It has been my pleasure to have known Clarissa Harrell for over 25 years. I first met Clarissa when she became an associate in one of my former law firms. At the outset, we knew that Clarissa would become an outstanding attorney. She left our firm under the best of circumstances to develop legal skills in diverse areas of the law. This breadth of experience will serve her well as County Judge. In addition to her legal acumen and experience, she is recognized for her extensive community involvement. She is devoted to her family and represents the type of individual who possesses the qualities that we should seek in our judiciary." -- John R. Kancilia, Esquire
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"Have you ever met someone who oozes sunshine? Someone who just makes you feel like you're the best at whatever it is you're doing? Well, that's Clarissa Harrell. I am a Nurse Practitioner in Brevard County but that's not how Clarissa and I met. Flashback to over 20 years ago when I first met her when my daughter was blessed to have her for a cheerleading coach. I didn't think people like her existed anymore -- people with integrity, grit, work ethic, kindness, God loving, American loving and just plain old good people.
And here we are, all these years later, and nothing's changed. She's the same person. She's a mom, a wife, a daughter, a lawyer, a sister, and a friend. She works hard. She's a small town local girl who didn't forget her roots after going off to college and law school. She returned to her home town and married a law enforcement officer and Army veteran, Gary, a great guy we have also come to know.
Clarissa has fought hard for the children of our county in and out of the courthouse. She volunteers countless hours in the community helping those in need. She is a proud military mom! I can not imagine a better candidate for County Court Judge." -- Sandy M.
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"I am a civil litigator practicing in Brevard County, but the first place I met Clarissa Harrell was at Freedom 7 Elementary School. Mrs. Harrell was my daughter's first-grade teacher and she was an amazing teacher beloved by students and teachers alike. I saw from her year in the classroom that there is a special place in her heart for children. After that time, she returned to the courtroom as a prosecutor and became the Juvenile Division Chief before being promoted to prosecute habitual offenders.
I have had the privilege in Brevard of appearing before some exceptional jurists, and after 28 years in the Florida Bar, I believe I can spot the personality and character traits that make for an outstanding judge. Mrs. Harrell has a superb work ethic, listens carefully before making decisions, communicates clearly, treats everyone respectfully and fairly, and has spent the requisite time trying complex cases to be a good judge. I recommend Clarissa Harrell without reservation and have every confidence that she will be an outstanding judge." --Richard Shuster, Esquire
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"Clarissa Harrell's years of exceptional service and dedication make her a highly qualified candidate for the Brevard County Court Judge seat. As someone who has had the privilege of being her client and has known Clarissa for the past 17 years, I can attest to her clarity and decisiveness in the practice of law. Her passion for helping others, coupled with her expert knowledge of the law, position her as a truly outstanding candidate for the role of judge. Clarissa's commitment to impartiality and her rational and sound mindset make her stand out as a leader who would serve her community with distinction. It is without a doubt she is the ideal candidate and would make an incredible judge." -- Jackie Joy
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"I have known Clarissa for over 15 years. I first met her when I became a client of hers and have witnessed firsthand her genuine empathy and commitment to fairness. She approaches each case with a sense of justice, recognizing the human impact of legal decisions. This quality is essential for a judge who seeks to ensure equity and uphold the principles of a just society. I wholeheartedly endorse Clarissa for the position of judge. Her combination of legal expertise, judicial temperament, and community engagement make her an outstanding candidate. I am confident that Clarissa will bring a thoughtful and principled approach to the bench, serving our community with distinction." -- Mary Griffin
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"I have known and worked with or against Ms. Harrell for years here in Brevard County. Not only is she a tireless advocate for clients but she is a fair, reasonable, and respectful opposing counsel. Her abilities in the courtroom are perfectly suited to running an efficient, fair, and impartial caseload as a Judge. She is among the most ethical members of our esteemed Florida Bar. Without exception I support Clarissa Harrell for Judge in the Group 6 County Court seat in our hometown of Brevard County." -- Bonnie Klein Rhoden, Esquire
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"I have had the pleasure to work with Ms. Harrell in my role as an agency employee within the Brevard criminal justice system. My support for her is based on my experiences with her in the courtroom. She is someone who puts justice first -- for the seen and unseen victims, with an emphasis on the safety of the public. She is able to see the circumstances surrounding an offender like in a case we had where a young person with a substance abuse disorder needed treatment to avoid losing custody of a child. In another case of interest to some federal agencies, Ms. Harrell fought extremely hard in the best interest of the safety of the public. She did an amazing job keeping the focus of the case on the danger the offender presented to the community. If I had known there was an award for prosecutors who fight gang violence, I would have nominated Ms. Harrell for the work she has done, and for her continued work, in reducing gang violence and prevention of gang membership. When I told my professional contacts that Ms. Harrell was a candidate for this position, they were equally as thrilled as I to have someone fair and firm on the bench. I am sure Ms. Harrell has the skill set, experience, and knowledge to be on the bench. I know she will represent what I -- and the community I live in -- value, and our sense of justice, if she is given the opportunity to serve as a judge." -- Mike M.
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"I have known and worked with Clarissa Harrell for many years. She is one of the best prosecutors I have ever had the pleasure of working with in my 17 years with the State Attorney's Office. Her knowledge of the law, commitment, work ethic, professionalism, and most of all, her compassion for victims of crime, is exceptional. I have worked with Clarissa on many cases, and she treats everyone with respect and dignity. She is honest, empathetic, fair and straightforward. She goes out of her way to help victims of crime understand the criminal justice process. Her intelligence, expertise, and abilities in the courtroom are unsurpassed. I am confident Clarissa would be an outstanding judge and that she has the qualities and attributes to serve the citizens of Florida well."
-- Janet Pearson, Victim Advocate / Domestic Violence Division
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"It is my genuine pleasure to endorse Clarissa Harrell for Judge in Brevard County. My experiences with Clarissa, both as a client and collaborator, have consistently shown her exceptional capabilities in navigating the complexities of the court and legal system. Her dedication to making legal processes less daunting is commendable, and her commitment to prioritizing the best interests of families, including my own, is truly admirable. Clarissa's blend of professional expertise and compassionate approach make her an outstanding candidate for the judiciary. Her election to the bench would be a significant asset to our community in Brevard County." -- Todd A. Hillhouse
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"I am sending this to advocate for Clarissa Harrell for the position of County Court Judge. Clarissa exhibited excellent judicial temperament when she represented me in divorce / family court proceedings 23 years ago. Her experience, training, compassion, and fairness were what helped keep me focused and calm during the most troubling time of my life.
I have known her through the years as a fellow parent, as a lawyer, and as a friend. She is a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Having Clarissa Harrell on the bench would be a testament of fairness, truth, and justice for all."
Sincerely, Margaret J. Cammarata
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"I have known Clarissa Harrell for the past 15 years. She is knowledgeable and very empathetic to each situation. She will be an asset to Brevard as a County Court Judge. She always has a ready smile and is a warm and caring person. Her compassion and knowledge of law would also make her a great asset to Brevard as a judge. Having the privilege of knowing Clarissa for the past 15 years, I was lucky to be one of her clients. She was truly empathetic and approaches each legal issue with a sense of justice. I am proud to say that Clarissa would be a wonderful asset to our community. She is the perfect candidate."
-- Geri Shane
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Dear Voter,
It has been a pleasure to know Clarissa Harrell for the 30 years that she has been a lawyer. I first met her when she worked for the local State Attorney's Office in Brevard. It was evident to me that she was sharp, caring, thorough, and a competent trial attorney. She was and is a self-starter who makes her own decisions on the many issues she faces daily.
As a prosecutor, Clarissa is well-versed in the area of criminal law. County court judges routinely handle criminal matters. Her transition to this position would be seamless.
Please take a moment to review the other letters of support for her on this website. Thank you.
Very Truly Yours, William F. Meyer, Esquire
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