Women’s Executive Club

Regine Cordon is the Executive Director of the Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), Intercoastal Division serving Broward County.  She has approximately 24 years of knowledge and leadership experience in serving the needs of children and families in the non-profit arena.  Ms. Cordon received a bachelor’s degree from Barry University and a master’s degree in social work from Florida International University. She is a licensed clinical social worker and holds a certificate in fundraising management. She has held numerous leadership positions in community organizations both as a paid employee and as a volunteer.  She has received both local and state wide awards for her advocacy efforts.

Originally born in Haiti but moved to the US, with her family at the age of three.  Regine is a proud single parent of a 19 yrs old daughter.  Her hobbies include volunteering in the community, singing in the Church choir, attending community music and performing arts events and spending time with her family. 

Deborah Berkowitz manages Ruden McClosky’s Trademark Practice. Deborah concentrates her law practice in trademark, copyright, computer software, technology and internet, licensing, unfair competition, and trade secrets matters. Active in the community, Deborah currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Broward Alliance and Artserve, Inc. of Broward County. Deborah received the Pro Bono Service Award for her outstanding contribution in the category of Arts Law to “Put Something Back.” She is a Fellow of Brandeis University. Deborah’s hobbies include reading, discovering new recipes, traveling, spending time with family and friends, recreational walking and urban hiking.

This is Edie and me at the dessert extravaganza buffet aboard Holland America’s Westerdam. Edie and her husband, Kurt, treated me and my friend, Vilma, to a 7-day cruise of the Western Caribbean to celebrate one of my "milestone" birthdays. The four of us toured Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Maarten. We ate, drank, went to wine tastings, listened to a string quartet, solo guitarist, pianist, enjoyed dancers, comedians and a juggler/comedian (strange combination, but hilarious!). Vilma and I lapped the deck after breakfast most days. Every lap was 1/3 of a mile. We went at least a mile each time. (Of course, she was pushing me so I didn’t get the same benefits as she did from our outings.) I’ve been on four other cruises, and this one was the best, by far. Thanks Edie & Kurt! It was the best birthday present ever. –Dee

A note of appreciation to Marsha Broadwell of First Trust Mortgage Company. She and her husband Allen are my first touch/call placed for all of my clients and customers who are in need of quality mortgage services.

I continue to receive top quality service from their team of professionals and receive calls returned promptly.

For anyone needing mortgage service for purchase, reverse mortgage for Seniors or refinancing, be sure to contact Marsha. You will be glad you did.

Much appreciation,

Susan Kingsley

Kudos to Joni Rosenthal who persisted with great patience and graciousness to snap a realistic photo of me I can use on Facebook and EHarmony. –Virginia Howard

PERSONAL:

I grew up in a large family. We lived in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Hampshire and New York. I worked my way through college and law school as a waitress, newspaper columnist (paid by the inch!), exercise instructor, retail clerk, bookkeeper, summer day care provider, Laundromat and clam bar worker, shoe salesperson and so many more jobs. Each of those experiences was invaluable in making me an independent, positive and grateful person.

I am married and have a wonderful husband who is retired from 28 years in law enforcement. He spends much of his free time as a community volunteer focusing on the environment—and worked on my campaign for re-election. He has given me 8 terrific, smart and adorable grand kids.

Lastly, being a breast cancer survivor has given me strength, a better understanding of what is truly important in life and a wonderfully increased capacity for compassion.  Each day, I bring each of those traits to the bench.

PROFESSIONAL:

BAR ADMISSIONS:

Florida Supreme Court-December 1981 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court –January 1977

EDUCATION:

Suffolk University School of Law, Boston, MA. Juris Doctor June 1976

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. B. A. June 1971

LEGAL EXPEREINCE:

2003-PRESENT Broward Circuit Judge. Civil Division, Family Division ( injunctions against domestic, dating, sexual and repeat violence), Criminal Felony Division

1981-2003 U.S. Department of Justice, Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA). Civil Division, Criminal Division, Appeals and Management

1976-1981 Assistant District Attorney in Massachusetts

1971-1974 Massachusetts Senate Aide

1973-1975 Various Law Clerk positions. Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission, Law Offices of Henry Wynn and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

BAR ASSOCIATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

Broward County Bar Association, 1990 to present

Federal Bar Association, Broward Chapter, 1987-2003, President, Treasurer, Secretary , Board

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Association, 1990-2003, past Board of Directors

St. Thomas More Society, 1988 to present, Founder and past Board of Directors

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Lighthouse of Broward, serving the Blind and Visually Impaired. Board of Directors since 1990

Leadership Broward Foundation since 1990, past Board of Directors, VP and Class Chair

Florida Bar Grievance Committee, 1996-1999

Broward Women’s Alliance, 2000 to present. Past President

Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, 1991 to present. Vice-Chair, past Board of Directors

Neighborhood Leadership College, Fort Lauderdale

Boys and Girls Clubs

Put Something Back, Legal Aid of Broward, 1996-2002, pro bono representation of domestic violence victims

AWARDS and HONORS:

Who’s Who In American Law, Martindael-Hubbel, AV Rating

Norman C. Roettger Award for service to the Federal Bar Association, 2003

U.S. Department of Justice, Director’s Award for outstanding litigation, 1999

U. S. Attorney General Award for Volunteer Service, 1992

Distinguished Service Award, Florida Department of Education, Division of Blind Services, 1992