Judge Dawn V. Denaro: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Dawn V. Denaro is a judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Miami-Dade County. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Rick Scott in 2018, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. Jerald Bagley.

She has held assignments in the Criminal and Unified Children's Court Divisions. Prior to her appointment, she presided as a judge for the Miami-Dade County Court since 2011.

Denaro received a B.A. in art history and Latin American studies from Tulane University in 1988. She went on to complete a J.D. at Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1993.

After graduating from law school, Denaro joined the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, where she worked as an assistant state attorney for eighteen years. During that time, she specialized in homicide, juvenile, and domestic crimes. Denaro remained with the State Attorney's Office until assuming the County Court bench.

Her memberships have included the Dade County Bar Association, the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, the Cuban American Bar Association, the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, and the Heidi Hewes Women's Cancer Association.