The Honorable
Dean Tarlika Nunez-Navarro
From the courtroom to the classroom — the credibility producers trust and the clarity audiences remember.
Appointed to the bench by both Senator Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis, Dean Nunez-Navarro was the first Colombian-American to serve on the Circuit Court in Broward and Orange County, Florida — presiding over Criminal, Family, Domestic Violence, Juvenile, and Adult Drug Court divisions.
Before ascending to the bench, she prosecuted felonies as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County and defended clients across the state of Florida. Judge, prosecutor, defense attorney — she is one of the few legal analysts in the country who has held all three roles, and it shows on air.
While serving on the judiciary, she was simultaneously an adjunct professor at FAMU's School of Law, teaching Advanced Trial Litigation, and conducted Lawyer Well-Being workshops at St. Thomas University College of Law — a commitment to legal education that never paused, even from the bench.
Now Dean and Professor of Law at St. Thomas University College of Law — the first alumna to serve as Dean — she has elevated the school's standing dramatically. Under her leadership, bar passage rates rose to 88.8%, enrollment has doubled, and the school climbed 13 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.
A nationally recognized legal commentator, Dean Navarro has provided expert analysis on FOX News, NewsNation, and Court TV — known for simplifying complex legal issues and making controversial judicial rulings accessible to general audiences.
Ideal For Segments On
Crime, Courts & the Constitution · High-Profile Criminal Trials · Law Enforcement & Public Safety · Judicial Philosophy & Separation of Powers · Legal Education Reform · Family Law & Custody Disputes · Domestic Violence Cases & Policy · Drug Court & Criminal Justice Reform
Honors & Recognition
Jurist of the Year — Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida · Jurist of the Month — Broward County Hispanic Bar Association · Hispanic Women of Distinction — Latina Style Magazine · Most Inspiring Leaders in Education, 2025 · Marquis Who's Who in America · Drug Court Champion, 17th Judicial Circuit