Marilyn Milian

Judge

“Raise your right hand,” Judge Marilyn Milian bangs the gavel on the bench of the multiple Emmy award winning “The People’s Court.” When asked how long she will continue to preside over “The People’s Court” Milian laughingly responds, “when they pry my cold white knuckles off the gavel.” Milian continues to resolve complex cases with compassion while offering sound legal knowledge to all of the litigants that appear before her. Milian’s advice to litigants: “Social media is a valuable courtroom tool. Posts, tweets and photos can be used as evidence to prove your case so don’t get rid of them! And remember, say it forget it, write it regret it!”

Judge Milian is honored to be the first Latina Judge to host a nationally syndicated television court show. In the courtroom, Milian often uses pearls of wisdom recalled from her Cuban mother and grandmother when addressing litigants. Milian proudly admits she gets her feistiness from her mother and her drive from her father.

Judge Milian has enjoyed major media exposure including a appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Rachael Ray,” “Steve Harvey,” “The Dr. Oz Show,” “The Wendy Williams Show,” “TMZ,” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Judge Milian is a well-versed legal expert appearing on many news outlets including FOX News, CNN and HLN. Milian is a pursued interview subject and has been profiled in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The New York Post, The New York Daily News, The Miami Herald, People, People en Espanol, US Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, InTouch, Elle, Vibe, Latina, Vanidades, and Glamour, among others. In addition Judge Milian has appeared on “Last Comic Standing” and in several episodes of “George Lopez.”

Originally from Queens, NY, Milian moved to Miami with her family when she was eight years old. Milian received her undergraduate degree at the University of Miami, where she graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade average. She then attended Georgetown Law School, where she earned her law degree and graduated cum laude at the age of 23.

Milian spent a year working at Harvard Law School, where she served as director of training for the Guatemala Project. She was responsible for training the Guatemalan trial judiciary, defense and prosecution bar in investigatory and trial techniques. Judge Milian served as an Assistant State Attorney from 1984-1994, appointed by Miami-Dade State Attorney Janet Reno. In 1994 she was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to the County Court bench, and assigned to the Domestic Violence, Civil and Criminal Divisions. In 1999 Governor Jeb Bush elevated her to the Circuit Court bench, where she handled complex criminal cases, including death penalty litigation.

Judge Milian is well known for her dedication to the Hispanic community and a strong voice against domestic violence. She has served as emcee for countless charitable causes, including March of Dimes, The Lighthouse for the Blind, The Latino Commission on AIDS, The Miami-Dade County Teachers Awards, Hope for Vision, and the South Florida Children’s Home Society. She was an honorary host for National Chairman Arnold Schwarzenegger’s annual celebration of the South Florida Inner-City Games. Judge Milian and her family are actively involved in supporting the Children’s Cancer Center’s Summer Camp, hosting “Camp Court” mock trials of camp counselors by the young campers.

Out of the courtroom Judge Milian treasures time with her family including her husband John Schlesinger, a Circuit Court Judge, and their three daughters Cristina, Alexandra and Sofia.