Judge Julie Harris Nelson: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Julie Harris Nelson is a judge for the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Ron DeSantis on December 16, 2019, filling a vacancy created by the elevation of the Hon. Gina Beovides to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court.

Harris Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. She then completed a J.D. at St. Thomas University College of Law. As a law student, Harris Nelson clerked for the Hon. William Hoeveler of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida as well as the City of Miami Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Transportation.

After graduating from law school, Harris Nelson began her legal career as an assistant state attorney with the Office of the State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. She then entered into private practice, eventually becoming a partner at ROIG Lawyers. In that capacity, she specialized in insurance defense matters involving automobile liability, personal injury protection, Special Investigation Unit claims, and premises liability.

Her memberships have included the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, the Dade County Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Federalist Society, the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, and the Miami Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. She also sits on the board of the Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services.

She is a recipient of the Not for Profit Pro Bono Award from Dade Legal Aid (2019).

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Harris Nelson was a resident of Miami, Florida, at the time of her appointment. She and her husband have three children.