After eight years on the bench, Judge Evellen Jewett approaches retirement at the end of March.
Evellen Jewett began her journey at the University of Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and journalism. Upon graduating, she was accepted into law school at the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law. Throughout her legal studies, she was the president of her legal fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, a board member of the John Marshall Bar Association, and a member of the Spanish American Law Students Association. She successfully graduated in 1988 with her juris doctor.
Shortly thereafter, Evellen Jewett was admitted into the Florida Bar and started working as an assistant public defender at the Public Defender’s Office. Her career there spanned more than 23 years, during which time she also joined the Orange County Bar Association, Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and many other organizations.
In 2015, she was certified as a family law mediator by the Florida Supreme Court, highlighting her strong problem-solving skills and ability to listen effectively. The following year, she was elected as an Orange County judge.
Judge Jewett joined our courts in January 2017, where she has served in both county civil and county criminal divisions. On the bench, Judge Jewett’s top priority has been to create a fair, respectful, and efficient courtroom environment. She aims to ensure that the judicial system serves the public by providing a forum where disputes can be resolved, allowing defendants and victims to feel heard and treated fairly. During an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, she emphasized that, “County Court is not about power, it’s about service."
We thank you, Judge Jewett, for your commitment to justice and our circuit over your long legal career. We wish you the happiest of retirements.