Courtroom experience. Academic leadership.
Dean and Professor of Law at St. Thomas University College of Law.
Tarlika Nuñez-Navarro is Dean and Professor of Law at St. Thomas University College of Law. Before that she spent more than a decade in Florida’s trial courts as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County, a managing partner in private practice, and a Circuit Judge in the Seventeenth and Ninth Judicial Circuits. She provides expert-level legal analysis for national and Florida outlets.
For the State
As an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County, she represented the State in criminal cases and learned how charges are built and how evidence is tested before a jury.
For the accused
As a managing partner in private practice, she represented the accused in criminal proceedings, including decisions about evidence, negotiations and trial strategy.
From the bench
She was the first Colombian American appointed to the Circuit Court bench in Florida’s Seventeenth and Ninth Judicial Circuits, appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis. Her work included juvenile and felony drug court. She was recognized as a Champion for her contributions to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program.
Leading a law school
Under her leadership the law school reached record enrollment, posted the highest July bar passage rate in its history, and moved up 17 places in the U.S. News & World Report rankings over three years. The first alumna to serve as Dean, she teaches Advanced Trial Litigation and the Women and the Law seminar.
On national television
On air she covers criminal, family law, domestic violence, and civil trials and the rulings that shape them: jury selection, evidentiary fights, verdicts, sentencing and appeal. She has appeared on FOX News, CBS, NewsNation, Newsmax and Court TV.
Watch her analysisHonors, service and leadership.
Honors
- Jurist of the Year, Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida
- Jurist of the Month, Broward County Hispanic Bar Association
- Bravo Award for commitment to the Hispanic community
- Champion, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program
- Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Latina Style Magazine
- Marquis Who’s Who in America, for excellence in legal services and education
- Most Inspiring Leaders in the Educational Sector to Follow in 2025
Service & appointments
- Dean and Professor of Law, St. Thomas University College of Law
- Chair, The Florida Bar Mental Health and Wellness Standing Committee
- Trustee and Executive Committee member, Florida Supreme Court Historical Society
- Former Circuit Court Judge, Ninth and Seventeenth Judicial Circuits
- Former Assistant State Attorney, Broward County
- Member of the largest cohort of female Hispanic judges in the nation
- Member, Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Academic leadership
- Record enrollment at St. Thomas University College of Law
- Highest July bar passage rate in the school’s history
- Rise of 17 positions in U.S. News & World Report rankings over three years
- Advocacy programs earning accolades in state and national competitions