SPEAKERS

Photo of JULIANNE M. HOLT Hillsborough County Public Defender 13th Judicial Circuit

JULIANNE M. HOLT Hillsborough County Public Defender 13th Judicial Circuit

March 20, 2023

The Law Offices of Julianne M. Holt, Public Defender is committed to efficiently providing our clients with effective legal representation, and treating our clients, our employees, and our community with dignity and respect. Ms. Holt oversees the day-to-day operations of a law firm with approximately 200 employees of which over 120 are attorneys in addition to legal assistants, investigators, social workers, clerks, and support staff. Ms. Holt has been a practicing attorney since 1981. Ms. Holt focuses her practice in the area of homicide cases including those involving the death penalty. Each year her office is appointed to represent over 40,000 cases in Hillsborough County.

Ms. Holt carries out her statutory duties as the protector of the presumption of innocence and has worked with many state and national organizations to ensure the rights of all citizens are protected. She has personally participated with numerous committees, councils, and boards focused on issues within the Criminal Justice System.

Ms. Holt and her employees have been dedicated to serving our community. Since 1993. Her office has consistently donated their time, financial support, and talent to aid organizations, students, and citizens both locally and nationally.

In addition to her duties as the Public Defender, Ms. Holt also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida.

AWARDS

Inducted into the Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame (2018)
Received commendations from the Tampa City Council, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, and Hillsborough County Clerk of Court (2018)
Hillsborough County’s Lifetime Leadership Award (2007)
Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Council’s Champion of Professionalism Award (2020)
NAACP’s Unsung Hero Award (2015)
Hillsborough County Human Rights Council’s Human Rights Award (2009)
Goldburg-Cacciatore Inn of Court’s Distinguished Public Service Award (2017)
Florida Public Defender Associations Recognition for Leadership Award (2015)
G3’s Community Hero Award (2017)
Tampa Hispanic Heritage Government Award (2000)
American Registry’s Outstanding Professional Lifetime Award
Pepin Academies Peregrine Falcon Award (2014)
Mayor’s Alliance For Persons with Disabilities Employer of the Year Award (2014)
Florida Association of Women Lawyers “Leaders in the Law Award”, 2014
The Legal Network’s “Top Lawyer” Recognition for ethical standards and professional excellence (2014)
George Edgecomb Bar Association Diversity Award (2014)
HAWL Trailblazer Award (Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, 2013)
South Texas College of Law Public Service Award (2013)
Florida Division of Career Development and Transitions “Marking a Difference Award”, 2012
E.J. Salcines Lifetime Leadership Award, 2007
Florida Tax Watch Davis Productivity Awards: 2010, 2007, 2005, 2003-1996
Equal Opportunity Council Equal Opportunity Employer Award, 2002
Hillsborough County Hispanic Woman of the Year, 2002
The Human Rights Council Hank Warren Memorial Award, 1999
The Chief Justice’s Outstanding Law Firm Commendation, 1998

LEGAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Bar Association
Florida Bar
Texas Bar
District of Columbia Bar
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
George Edgecomb Bar Association
Hillsborough County Bar Association
Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers
National Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals; Eleventh Circuit
United States District Court; Middle and Southern Districts

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES COMMITTEES

DUI Counter-Attack Board of Directors
Florida Public Defender Association
Hillsborough County Partners in Crisis
Long Term Funding for Drug Court Committee
National Association of Drug Court Professionals
National Legal Aid and Defender Association
Public Safety Coordinating Council
Hillsborough County Domestic Violence Task Force
Hillsborough County Juvenile Civil Citation Task Force
Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, Circuit 13
Phoenix House