Havana Nights Nostalgia

The Honorable Maxine Cohen Lando Award

Judge Maxine Cohen Lando, a prior KidSide Inc. Board member, dedicated herself to protecting the rights of those in the Court system. She served as a Dade County Public Defender and as a respected judge serving for twenty years in the Domestic Violence, Criminal, Civil and Family Divisions. Judge Lando is fondly remembered for her fiery spirit, tempered by her kind heart and noble dedication to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.

Judge Lando always found time to give back to the Court system and community at large. She did not hesitate when asked to join KidSide’s Board of Directors. She was a dedicated and active member. She served on the Florida Bar’s Judicial Independence Committee, where she shared her great wisdom as a much respected mentor for new judges. She was also a faculty member of the Advanced Judicial College.

Judge Lando was also a board member of Transition Inc., and a life member of Hadassah and Young Patronesses of the Opera. She was a talented pianist and a gifted mezzo-soprano. She sang with the Philharmonic Chorus Master Choir, the Bet Shira Choir and the Miami-Dade Clerk’s Choir.

In her loving memory, we have instituted the Honorable Judge Maxine Cohen Lando Award to recognize and honor those who follow her example of serving the children who are in the Court system with excellence, passion and dedication.

About Judge Maria Elena Verde

The Hon. Maria Elena Verde is a judge for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

She was elected to the Circuit Court bench in 2012.

Judge Verde graduated with her B.S. in criminology and political science from Florida State University. She went on to earn a J.D. from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1998.

Verde began her legal career as an assistant state attorney. Then, in 2001, she left the public sector to enter into private practice.

It was at that time, she joined the law firm Grey and Mourin, P.A., where she worked as a defense attorney until 2003. After leaving the firm, Verde entered into solo practice at her own law firm. She remained in that capacity until her election to the Circuit Court in 2012.

Past Recipients

Judge David Young 2019

The Honorable Ariana Fajardo Orshan, Retired 2018

Paul A. Garcia 2017

Anastasia M. Garcia, Esq. 2016

The Honorable Scott Bernstein 2015

Helenann Shapiro 2013

2022 Event Chairs

Yesenia Randazzo

Marisol Cruz

Vanessa Vasquez de Lara

About KidSide

KidSide, a 501(c)3, supports the needs of low-income families referred to Family Court Services, a unit that assists parents and children caught in the web of the Court system in Miami’s 11th judicial circuit. They provide critical assistance, counseling, and other resources to children from low-income families involved in cases like high conflict divorce, paternity, domestic violence, or abuse.

These services help to bridge gaps in the system and afford vital protection for under-served children in crisis. Due to significant underfunding for legal support services, without KidSide, many kids would not have access to these life-changing services, making them even more vulnerable to long-term damage and significant consequences in their lives and communities.