Inside the Journey of Judge Jessica Maureen Marra
Jessica Maureen Marra has emerged as a respected and steady voice on Florida’s judicial bench. Appointed in 2023 to the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, she brings a strong mix of prosecutorial experience, private-practice knowledge, and personal resilience to her work. A Cuban-American attorney with deep ties to her community, Marra is widely recognized for her thoughtful approach in family court and her commitment to treating every family with fairness and compassion.
Major Facts About Jessica Maureen Marra
| Fact Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessica Maureen Marra |
| Profession | Circuit Court Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County, Florida) |
| Judicial Appointment Year | 2023 |
| Appointed By | Governor Ron DeSantis |
| Court Division | Family Court Division |
| Nationality | Cuban-American |
| Languages Spoken | English and Spanish |
| Undergraduate Education | B.S. in Political Science, Florida International University (FIU) |
| Law School | Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law (Graduated cum laude) |
| Law School Leadership | President – Student Bar Association |
| Early Career | Assistant State Attorney, Broward County |
| Private Practice Position | Partner at Kelley Kronenberg (2014–2023) |
| Key Legal Areas | Felony prosecution, civil litigation, negligent security, workers’ compensation |
| Major Awards | “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” (2021), BCBA “40 Under 40” (2021), Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Girl Scouts Lead the Way (2021), Top Lawyer – Fort Lauderdale Illustrated (2022) |
| Community Leadership | Executive Board Member & Judicial Liaison – Broward County Hispanic Bar Association |
| Spouse | Attorney Marc Marra |
| Children | One daughter, Charlotte (“Heart Warrior”), born in 2017 |
| Notable Personal Detail | Mother of a medically complex child with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome |
| Bilingual Advantage | Provides improved access and communication for Spanish-speaking families |
| Professional Strengths | Trial advocacy, family law insight, multicultural communication, community engagement |
Early Life and Education
Jessica Maureen Marra is a Cuban-American South Florida native, fluent in both English and Spanish – a reflection of the region’s rich multicultural identity.
She began her academic path at Florida International University (FIU), where she earned a B.S. in Political Science, building a strong foundation in government and civic institutions. Marra went on to attend Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law, graduating cum laude. Her time in law school was marked by leadership and involvement: she served as President of the Student Bar Association and was an active member of the Nova Trial Association, gaining early experience in courtroom practice and trial advocacy.
Personal and Family Background
Jessica Maureen Marra comes from a proud Cuban-American heritage, a background that connects naturally with her involvement in the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association.
She is married to attorney Marc Marra, a partner at Kelley Kronenberg, reflecting their shared dedication to the legal profession.
Marra is also a devoted mother. She often describes herself as a “mom to a Heart Warrior child with special needs.” She and Marc welcomed their daughter, Charlotte, in 2017. Charlotte was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a severe congenital heart condition.
Legal Career Before the Bench
Prosecutor at the Broward County State Attorney’s Office
Jessica Marra began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, where she gained extensive experience prosecuting serious felony cases and taking numerous matters to trial.
Her work as a prosecutor gave her a strong foundation in criminal law, courtroom procedure, and trial advocacy, skills that would shape the rest of her legal career.
Private Practice: Partner at Kelley Kronenberg
In April 2014, Jessica Marra joined Kelley Kronenberg as a partner, marking her transition into civil litigation. Over nearly a decade at the firm, she handled a wide range of cases, including general liability, negligent security, workers’ compensation, and various other state and federal civil matters.
Her fluency in both Spanish and English also helped her serve South Florida’s diverse, multilingual communities.
Marra’s strong performance earned her several notable honors, including recognition as one of “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” (2021) and selection for the Broward County Bar Association’s “40 Under 40” list the same year. She was also highlighted by several local legal and business publications as an emerging leader in the profession.
Beyond her work at the firm, Marra played an active role in the legal community. She served on the executive board of the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association, where she also acted as judicial liaison and held board positions with the Broward County Bar Association and its West section.
Appointment to the Bench: Transition to Circuit Court Judge
In July 2023, then-Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Jessica Marra to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Broward County, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of longtime Judge Patti Henning.
Marra was officially sworn in on August 21, 2023, by Chief Judge Jack Tuter. She was assigned to the Family Court division, where she now oversees a significant caseload, reportedly managing around 1,000 active family-law matters. Her docket includes divorce, paternity, domestic violence, and other sensitive issues, placing her at the center of some of the most personal and high-stakes disputes families face.
Judicial Role and Responsibilities
As a family court judge in Broward County, Jessica Marra holds a critical role. Family law in Florida covers a wide range of deeply personal matters, divorce, child custody, paternity, domestic violence, and other sensitive disputes.
Marra’s background as both a prosecutor and a civil-litigation attorney gives her a well-rounded perspective. She understands the criminal dimensions of certain cases from her years in the State Attorney’s Office, and she brings insight into civil liability, negotiation, and complex litigation from her time in private practice.
Her bilingual fluency also plays an important part in her work. In a diverse community where many litigants are Spanish-speaking, Marra’s ability to communicate in both English and Spanish supports more accessible, inclusive, and efficient courtroom proceedings.
Community Engagement and Personal Motivation
Judge Marra’s contributions extend well beyond the courtroom. Her leadership roles in legal organizations, especially the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association, reflect a strong commitment to representation, mentorship, and community engagement.
On a personal level, she considers one of her most meaningful roles to be “Heart Mom” to her daughter, who has faced multiple open-heart surgeries and neurological challenges. In interviews and biographical profiles, Marra often cites the empathy and resilience she draws from her family, qualities that clearly influence her judicial temperament, particularly in emotionally charged family court cases.
2024 Retention Election and Public Backdrop
In 2024, Judge Jessica Marra ran for election to retain her seat (Group 18) on the 17th Circuit Court. Running as a nonpartisan incumbent in the Broward general election on November 5, 2024, she faced no significant opposition. Official results show she received approximately 96.6% of the vote, totaling 631,267 ballots, with the remainder scattered among write-ins or minor candidates.
Her campaign highlighted continuity on the bench and her extensive trial experience. Supporters emphasized her bilingual skills and her reputation for handling family cases with fairness and compassion. Volunteers even formed a “Keep Judge Jessica Marra” committee to rally voters and raise campaign funds, reflecting her strong professional standing and deep community connections.
Endorsements and Support
Judge Marra’s re-election campaign has received support from several local organizations. Notably, the Broward County Council of Professional Fire Fighters endorsed her bid for Circuit Court Group 18, highlighting her professionalism and extensive judicial experience. She has also been endorsed by the Dolphin Democrats, a Broward-based LGBTQ+ Democratic caucus.
These endorsements, along with backing from various legal and civic groups, reflect widespread community support for her continued service on the bench. In campaign announcements and literature, supporters consistently praise Marra for her fairness, integrity, and strong ties to the Broward community.
Awards & Achievements of Judge Jessica M. Marra
Jessica Maureen Marra has received numerous accolades throughout her career, highlighting her leadership, legal excellence, and dedication to the community:
Hispanic Woman of Distinction: Recognized for her professional achievements and active community involvement.
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2021): Honored for her outstanding legal work, as noted in her Florida Bar Judicial Disclosure.
Broward County Bar Association “40 Under 40” (2021): Named by her peers as one of the top young legal professionals in the county.
Business Edition of Best Lawyers – “Women in the Law” (2021): Featured for her leadership and contributions to the legal field.
Girl Scouts Lead the Way Honoree (2021): Recognized by the Southeast Florida Girl Scouts for exemplary leadership.
Fort Lauderdale Illustrated Top Lawyer in Broward County (2022): Selected as one of the county’s leading attorneys.
South Florida Business & Wealth “Up & Comer” Award: Celebrated for emerging leadership and influence in the South Florida legal and business community.
Board Director, Broward County Hispanic Bar Association: Serving on the executive board, reflecting her ongoing commitment to diversity and community in the legal profession.
Recognition by the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association (2023): Honored for her service as a 17th Circuit Family Court judge.
Investiture Proclamation (December 8, 2023): Received a formal proclamation from the Broward County Commission, underscoring her stature and the respect she commands in the community.
Challenges and Criticisms: The Complexities of Judicial Elections
Marra’s path from judicial appointee to retention candidate highlights some of the structural challenges inherent in electing judges. Even the presence of a write-in opponent in what many assumed would be an uncontested race underscores ongoing debates about accountability, potential conflicts of interest, and public trust.
Family court cases, by their nature, involve deeply personal matters, divorces, custody disputes, domestic violence, where the stakes are high and the margin for perceived error or bias is narrow. Public confidence in a judge depends not only on professional competence but also on transparency, fairness, and sustained engagement with the community.
Conclusion
Jessica Maureen Marra’s career, from prosecutor to private-practice attorney to circuit court judgE, reflects a legal professional deeply rooted in her community, experienced across multiple areas of law, and guided by empathy and a commitment to service.
As a family court judge in Broward County’s 17th Judicial Circuit, she now presides over some of the most sensitive and consequential cases affecting South Florida families. Her bilingual skills, broad legal expertise, and personal experiences provide a unique perspective in administering justice.
Her 2024 judicial retention election underscores the dual responsibilities judges face: upholding impartiality and integrity while remaining accountable to the community. How Marra navigates this balance will influence public trust in her court and, more broadly, impact how family law is adjudicated in Florida’s diverse and dynamic communities.
