LADIES IN LAW

States Supreme Court. After receiving unanimous approval from the U.S. Senate, she broke new ground for women when she was sworn in as the first female Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. During her 24 years on the bench, O’Connor developed a reputation for being firm, but just.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg is another famous woman in history, who inspired many – the Hon. Lee Schreiber among them. “She was a trailblazer and role model for girls and women who aspired to be lawyers and judges. She was smart, witty and always well prepared in her work. She took her roles in the legal system, both as a litigator and later as a Justice, seriously, yet did not seek recognition or accolades for doing her job,” said Judge Schreiber.

The judge remembers her own interest in the legal field began as early as fifth grade civics class. “We learned about the meaning of birth certificates and death certificates. I thought, ‘If laws determine when you are born and when you die, there must be so many more laws that affect our lives in between.’ I wanted to learn more about those laws,” she remembered.

After a lifetime of legal study, Judge Schreiber had the honor of meeting and getting to know the Supreme Court Justice who had so greatly inspired her. “I personally met and dined with Ruth Bader Ginsberg at a 2010 Tau Epsilon Rho Law Society National Convention in Naples, Florida. It was one of the highlights of my legal career.” For the Hon. Elisabeth Adams, it was a deeply personal childhood experience with a local judge that shaped her lifetime dream to become a judge. “I was inspired to become a judge when I was 11 years old. My parents were getting divorced, and I had to talk to a judge in chambers. Talking with that judge had such a large impact on me that I knew then that I wanted to become a lawyer and eventually a judge,” she said.

“After graduating law school, I initially thought that I didn’t want to handle family law matters. But as it turned out, my first job was at Legal

Aid and that’s all we handled. After my first few cases, I realized I actually enjoyed Family Law,” said Judge Adams.

“Throughout my legal career I have explored other areas, but have always come back to Family Law. It is an area that I feel I can make a difference in other people’s lives, and I enjoy helping children,” she added.

The Hon. Carolyn Swift can relate to this desire to help others and make the world a better place. “I chose the law to make a difference,” said Judge Swift. Originally born in Staten Island, New York, she moved to Lee County in 1983. “I loved helping families as a family law practitioner. Serving on the Unified Family Court bench for four years has truly been an opportunity to help those most in need,” she reflected.

Similarly, the Magistrate Kimberly Bocelli has wanted to be a lawyer since she was in middle school. “I was drawn to the law because of my aptitude for arguing both sides of issues and having a strong sense of fairness. Just ask my parents about our debates when I was a teenager! I sought appointment as general magistrate in order to serve our legal community.”

As she pursued her career in law, Magistrate Bocelli looked to another famous figure for inspiration: Peggy Quince.

These are just a few examples of what Lee County’s own women in law have accomplished, along with the remarkable women in history who inspired them.

As the nation observes Women’s History Month in March, the Lee County Bar Association hopes you will join us in celebrating these and countless other women trailblazers who, through their courage and sacrifice, created new opportunities for millions of American women in the legal field and beyond.

This special advertising section showcases female attorneys from local Lee County law firms and highlights their areas of legal expertise. Join us in celebrating these female professionals in honor of Women’s History Month!

INDERA DEMINE immigrated to the United States from Guyana in 2002. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Hunter College in New York City and earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Ave Maria School in 2012.

In 2016, Ms. DeMine opened, DeMine Immigration Law Firm- an immigration-only firm in downtown Fort Myers. As an immigrant herself and a naturalized citizen of the United States, Ms. DeMine is passionate about immigration law and has firsthand knowledge of the complexities of the immigration system. She understands the immigrant journey, can identify with her clients and offer solutions to their immigration case.

The Honorable KATHLEEN SMITH was elected as Public Defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit in 2008 and was recently re-elected without opposition. She specializes in representing clients living with mental illness and substance abuse issues and is a past recipient of Advocate of the Year award presented by Lee Mental Health Inc. Because of her passion, she was re-appointed to serve on Florida Supreme Court’s Problem Solving Courts Steering Committee.

The Honorable AMIRA FOX serves as State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties. She began her career as an Assistant State Attorney with the 20th Judicial Circuit in 1990. In November 2018, she was elected State Attorney, becoming the third State Attorney, and the first female State Attorney, in the history of the circuit. She was re-elected, unopposed, in 2022 for a term continuing through January 2027.