Since beginning his judicial career in 1998, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Scott M. Bernstein has aspired to achieve judicial excellence in the operation of his courtroom and his interactions with litigants and the lawyers that represent them. In doing so, he looked beyond himself to achieve a broader mission of fairness and equality.

Bernstein was recognized for these efforts in 2019 by receiving the Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence, honoring his service to and leadership within Florida’s judicial branch. It was mainstream recognition of a central tenet of his career. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles T. Canady presented the award to Bernstein on Aug. 9, 2019.