Judge Katherine G. Essrig: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

13th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Department Room 320D, Courtroom 307

Florida Bar #: 330264 (November 4, 1981)

Biography

Hon. Katherine G. Essrig is a judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Hillsborough County. She was elected to the bench in 1996.


Essrig has served as an administrative judge of the Unified Family Court and Juvenile Dependency Division, and she has presided over cases in the Unified Family Court, Juvenile Dependency/Dependency Specialty Division. She also supported the initiative to add a Courthouse Facility Dog Program to the 13th Judicial Circuit. The program, which began in 2014, seeks to provide children who have been the victim of traumatic events with the support of a courthouse facility service dog, which is present with them during the court proceedings.


Prior to her election, Essrig sat as a judge on the Hillsborough County Court, a position to which she was named in 1991. Before that, she spent time as an attorney in the Law Offices of John M. Fitzgibbons.


She received an A.B. in public policy studies from Duke University in 1978. Essrig went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, in 1981.


After graduating from law school, she began her legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. Paul Game, Jr., a former magistrate judge with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Then, in 1985, she joined the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit. She spent the next four years as an assistant state attorney, supplementing her practice with service as a special assistant United States attorney (1988 to 1989).


Her memberships have included the Florida Dependency Model Courts Panel, the Florida Supreme Court Steering Committee on Families and Children in the Courts, the National and State Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Dependency Court Improvement Panel, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuits LGBTQ Youth, Unaccompanied Immigration Minors, Pregnant/Parenting Foster Youth, and Facility Dog workgroups, the Florida Judicial Mentoring Program, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Technology Executive Committee, and the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Dependency Judicial Engagement Project.


Essrig has also served as a member and past president of the Athena Society and the Ferguson-White Chapter of the American Inn of Court.


She is a native of Tampa, Florida.

Recent Cases by Hon. Katherine G. Essrig

On April 15, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Apr 15, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 20, 2024

On April 9, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 12, 2024

On March 15, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 15, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2024

On March 13, 2024 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 13, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 16, 2024

On March 13, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 13, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 16, 2024

On March 13, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 13, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 16, 2024

On March 11, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 11, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 14, 2024

On March 5, 2024 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 05, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 07, 2024

On March 5, 2024 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 05, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 07, 2024

On March 4, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 04, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 06, 2024

On March 1, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 01, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 05, 2024

On March 1, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Mar 01, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 05, 2024

On February 29, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Feb 29, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 02, 2024

On February 29, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Feb 29, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 02, 2024

On February 28, 2024 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Feb 28, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 02, 2024

On February 13, 2024 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 15, 2024

On February 7, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Feb 07, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 10, 2024

On February 5, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Feb 05, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2024

On January 30, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Jan 30, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 02, 2024

On January 18, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Jan 18, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2024

On January 15, 2024 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 18, 2024

On January 4, 2024 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2024

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2024

On December 12, 2023 a parental responsibility / time sharing / parent plan case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Dec 12, 2023

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Parental Responsibility / Time Sharing / Parent Plan

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Other Parent-Child

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 15, 2023

On December 6, 2023 a declaration of paternity (non-dor) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Essrig, Katherine. G presiding.

Filed

Dec 06, 2023

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Category

Declaration of Paternity (Non-DOR)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 09, 2023

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