Uncovering the Story of Judge Clarissa Harrell

Introduction to Clarissa Harrell

Clarissa E. Harrell is an accomplished American attorney and jurist, currently serving as a County Court Judge in Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit, which covers Brevard County. She was elected to the bench in November 2024 and now presides over the Civil Division (Division 3) at the Moore Justice Center in Viera, Florida.

Early Life and Education

Clarissa Harrell was born in 1965 and raised in Florida, where she developed the values and determination that would guide her future career. She graduated from Palm Bay High School in Melbourne, Florida, in 1983, demonstrating early on a commitment to academic excellence. She continued her education at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, earning a Bachelor of Science in International Politics in 1987.

Following her undergraduate studies, Harrell pursued a legal education at Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, earning her Juris Doctor in 1993. While at Tulane, she excelled in moot court and advocacy competitions and earned a Certificate in Environmental Law, laying a solid foundation for her distinguished and impactful career in public service.

Family and Personal Life

Clarissa Harrell was born in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to Betty Hargrave Brown, a schoolteacher, and Brad Brown, an engineer at the Kennedy Space Center. Her childhood was marked by frequent moves due to her stepfather’s military career, experiences that instilled in her a strong sense of resilience and adaptability. On her maternal side, her grandparents were longtime residents of Cocoa, with her grandfather serving as Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, grounding her deeply in the local community.

Judge Harrell is married to Gary Harrell, a retired law enforcement officer and U.S. Army veteran. The couple has been married for over 26 years and together have six adult children, including stepchildren, and nine grandchildren, several of whom still reside in Brevard County. Outside of her professional life, Judge Harrell enjoys reading, walking, and researching genealogy.

Member	Relationship	Details
Betty Hargrave Brown	Mother	Schoolteacher; influenced Clarissa’s commitment to education and community
Brad Brown	Father	Engineer at Kennedy Space Center
Gary Harrell	Husband	Retired law enforcement officer; U.S. Army veteran
Children	Six children	Careers include Army Ranger, law enforcement, assistant principal, teacher, environmental scientist, engineer

Clarissa Harrell Age

As of 2025, Clarissa Harrell is around 59 years old, bringing decades of both life experience and professional expertise to her role in public service.

Clarissa Harrell’s Legal Career

After earning her law degree, Clarissa Harrell began her legal career at the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit, where she spent more than a decade prosecuting serious felony cases, including violent crimes and offenses involving repeat offenders, as part of the Career Criminal and Firearms Unit. She later transitioned to the Juvenile Division, ultimately becoming Juvenile Division Chief in 2019, where she oversaw charging decisions and managed a team of prosecutors handling delinquency cases.

Harrell also has extensive experience advocating for children and families. She worked with Florida’s Department of Children and Families and the Guardian ad Litem Program, representing abused and neglected children in dependency and child-protection matters. From 2002 to 2012, she operated her own law firm, handling family law and civil litigation—including divorces, custody disputes, adoptions, and personal injury cases—successfully representing over 500 clients. Early in her career, she served as a civil litigation associate and trial court staff attorney. Additionally, she has shared her expertise as an adjunct law professor, mentoring and educating the next generation of legal professionals.

Key Career Roles:

Years	Organization / Location	Position / Role	Responsibilities
1993–2017	18th Judicial Circuit, FL	Assistant State Attorney	Prosecuted felony cases in Career Criminal/Firearms Unit
Early 2000s	Florida Colleges	Adjunct Law Professor	Taught courses in family law and business organizations
2002–2012	Clarissa E. Harrell, P.A.	Private Practice Attorney / Founder	Specialized in family law and civil litigation; represented 500+ clients
2004–2005	Brevard County Bar Association	President	Led local bar association and organized professional events
2012–2014	Florida Guardian ad Litem Program	Child’s Best Interest Attorney	Advocated for abused and neglected children in court
2014–2016	Florida Dept. of Children & Families (DCF)	Senior Attorney	Represented DCF in dependency and child-protection cases
2019	Brevard County State Attorney	Juvenile Division Chief	Oversaw charging decisions and managed juvenile criminal cases
Elected 2024	Brevard County – Group 6	County Court Judge	Presides over Civil Division 3 at the Moore Justice Center

Judicial Service and Current Role

Clarissa Harrell was elected as County Court Judge for Group 6 in Brevard County during the November 2024 general election and officially assumed office at the beginning of 2025. She currently presides over Civil Division 3 at the Moore Justice Center in Viera, with her chambers and judicial assistant, Shannon Zeleniak, listed on the official website of Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit.

Prior to taking the bench, Harrell temporarily stepped away from her role as an Assistant State Attorney in January 2025 to dedicate herself fully to her campaign. Her campaign finance disclosures reflect active fundraising and expenditures throughout the election cycle. Drawing on decades of experience in both criminal and civil law, Judge Harrell brings a broad legal foundation to her judicial responsibilities, overseeing civil matters including contract disputes, small claims, and guardianship cases.

Although her public-facing activities have naturally diminished since assuming the bench, her campaign website and Facebook page continue to highlight her prior community engagement. Attorneys and litigants can access her courtroom schedule and procedural guidelines through the court’s Judicial Automatic Calendar System (JACS), ensuring transparency and ease of access in her proceedings.

Clarissa Harrell Net Worth

There is no publicly verified information regarding Clarissa Harrell’s net worth. As a long-standing legal professional and now a County Court Judge in Brevard County, she has enjoyed a successful career, though the specifics of her personal wealth have not been disclosed.

Her salary as a County Court Judge is publicly reported at approximately $180,616 per year, reflecting her role within the judicial system. While campaign finance records provide details on contributions and expenditures related to her election campaigns, they do not reveal her personal assets or total net worth. Any estimates beyond this would be purely speculative, as Harrell has chosen to keep her personal finances private.

Social Media Presence of Clarissa Harrell

Clarissa Harrell maintains a campaign Facebook page titled “Clarissa Harrell for County Court Judge, Group 6,” which she used during her judicial campaign to share public appearances, community events, and endorsements. Her campaign website, harrellforjudge.com, links to this page and also features sections highlighting her volunteer work and updates from the campaign trail.

She does not have any confirmed Instagram, Twitter, or other social media accounts. While several profiles exist under her name, none have been verified as belonging to Judge Harrell, suggesting that they are likely unrelated or generic accounts.

Leadership and Community Involvement

Clarissa Harrell has been an active and respected leader within the local legal community. She served as President of the Brevard County Bar Association from 2004 to 2005 and as President of the Brevard Bar Foundation from 2007 to 2008. Over the years, she has also contributed to numerous Florida Bar committees, including the Legal Needs of Children Committee. In recognition of her dedication and service to the profession, she was honored with the Florida Bar’s Meritorious Service Award in 2013.

Beyond her professional commitments, Harrell has volunteered extensively in legal education and youth programs, such as high school mock trial competitions and Teen Court events, demonstrating her longstanding commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and public service.

Challenges and Impact

The role Judge Clarissa Harrell now occupies is demanding and multifaceted. As a County Court Judge, she must manage a heavy docket, handle complex civil matters, and fulfill administrative responsibilities, all while maintaining impartiality and fairness. Her extensive background provides a strong foundation for these challenges: her prosecutorial career exposed her to high-stakes, emotionally charged cases; her advocacy work required navigating complex, multidisciplinary systems; and her time in private practice cultivated empathy and understanding for clients from diverse backgrounds.

Beyond the courtroom, Harrell demonstrates a deep commitment to her community. She uses her position not only to administer justice but also to serve as a bridge between the legal system and everyday citizens, particularly youth. Through mentoring, coaching, and volunteer initiatives, she pursues a long-term vision of making the law more accessible, comprehensible, and just for all.

Conclusion

Clarissa Harrell’s journey exemplifies a rare combination of professional excellence, public service, and community commitment. From her early years in Florida to a distinguished legal career spanning decades, she has served as a prosecutor, an advocate for children, and a private practitioner, building a foundation of expertise, integrity, and compassion that now shapes her work as a County Court Judge in Brevard County.

Beyond her courtroom responsibilities, Harrell has actively contributed to legal education, mentoring programs, and community initiatives, reflecting her dedication to making the law accessible and meaningful to the public. Her career demonstrates not only exceptional legal skill but also a deep commitment to justice, fairness, and civic responsibility. Through her work, she has earned a reputation as a respected jurist and a trusted community leader, bridging the gap between the legal system and the people it serves.

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