On Monday, December 15, 2025, Law.com reported that Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jose M. Rodriguez, the longest-serving judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, will retire in December after more than 30 years on the bench. Rodriguez, who was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Miami in 1961, emphasized his commitment to making decisions throughout his career, stating that lawyers could criticize his rulings but not his decisiveness.

During his tenure, Rodriguez has witnessed significant changes in the legal profession, particularly the integration of technology. He recalled a time when using Skype for hearings was considered inappropriate, a stark contrast to the present day, where technology is integral to the judicial process. Rodriguez highlighted the importance of adapting to evolving trends in law and culture.

Rodriguez’s path to the bench was not straightforward. After working as a welder, he was encouraged to apply to law school, graduating from Indiana University School of Law in 1980. He then worked in private practice before becoming a magistrate in Miami-Dade County Traffic Court. Following unsuccessful judicial election bids, he was appointed to the Miami-Dade County Court in 1994 and elevated to the Circuit Court in 2000.

Reflecting on his career, Rodriguez cited the 2007 trial involving BDO Seidman, where the accounting firm was ordered to pay $521 million, as a particularly memorable case, despite the verdict being overturned on appeal. He also recalled a sentencing in his last criminal trial, where he chose a life sentence for an elderly man convicted of killing his wife to represent the victim.

Rodriguez, who will turn 73 in January, is leaving the bench before reaching the mandatory retirement age. He will continue teaching at the University of Miami, Florida International University, and Indiana University. Additionally, he will begin working as a mediator at JAMS on January 1.

His departure coincides with the Miami-Dade Circuit Court’s relocation to the new Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Building. Rodriguez expressed a preference for the old courthouse, where he accumulated many memories. He plans to bring his personal ethos, influenced by Buddhism, to his new role at JAMS, embracing change and accepting its inevitability. He was recently honored with the Mario Goderich P.A.V.E.R. Award by the Cuban American Bar Association, recognizing his professionalism, achievement, values, excellence, and respect throughout his career.

 

 

Source: Law.com