Biography
Gill S. Freeman (Retired Judge 11th Judicial Circuit) joins JAMS from the Miami Dade Circuit Court, where she was highly regarded for her settlement skills in a broad range of legal matters, especially family law matters. Whether as a celebrated trial judge or an accomplished trial attorney, Ms. Freeman brings a seasoned perspective from both the bench and bar to every mediation and arbitration. Known for her warm personality, calm demeanor and thorough preparation, Ms. Freeman will positively engage with attorneys and parties in creating an atmosphere conducive to resolving disputes.
Prior to joining JAMS, Ms. Freeman sat on the Miami Dade Circuit Court for nearly 20 years including the Family Court. She was the first judge to preside over the Complex Business Division, serving there for five years.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Ms. Freeman practiced commercial, insurance, securities, and family law for twenty years at a major South Florida law firm. Her move to the bench was largely driven by her desire to effectuate change and fairness in the court system. Ms. Freeman is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards honoring her for her dedication and commitment to fairness, diversity and the elimination of bias in the legal profession. Most recently the Young Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar named her “Jurist of the Year” for her outstanding contributions.
Representative Matters (Family Law)
Ms. Freeman handled, as part of her private practice and as a presiding judge, virtually all aspects of family law cases, including:
- Creation and modifications of timesharing plans
- Matters involving custody and timesharing including cases when one or both parents have alcohol, drug, or mental health concerns
- Relocation and unauthorized removal of children from the state
- Custody and care of children with special needs
- Equitable Distribution including valuation of property, date of date of valuation
- Negotiation and enforcement of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
- Dissolution of family partnerships and family corporations
- Distribution of assets and debt, tax issues in divorce
- Paternity cases involving DNA, surrogate/in vitro cases
- Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of minors and young adults
- Alimony
- Annulment
- Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction
- Adoptions
- Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS
- Recognized as AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell Ratings, 2019
- Recipient of the Jurist of the Year Award from the Young Lawyers’ Section of the Florida Bar
- Recipient of the Women’s History Coalition "Woman of Impact" Award
- Recognition from the Cuban American Bar Association for dedication and service to the Complex Litigation Division of the Court
- Recipient of The Jewish Federation of Greater Miami Community Service Award
- Recipient of Sabadell Bank’s Community Service Award in conjunction with the Dade County Bar Association
- Recipient of the State FAWL’s Rosemary Barkett Award
- Recipient of the Dade FAWL’s Mattie Belle Davis Award
- Dade County’s “In the Company of Women Award”
- Member, The Florida Bar Association Business Law Section Executive Committee, State and Federal Court Judicial Liaison Committee, 2016
- Florida Supreme Court Commission on Fairness, 1997-present
- Circuit Court Education Committee, 2008-present
- Instructor, Florida Bar Trial Advocacy Seminar, Business Law Section Trial Advocacy Seminar, FAWL Trial Advocacy Seminar
- Former Dean of Advanced Judicial Studies for the State of Florida
- Former Chair and member of the Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Diversity and Fairness
- Former Vice-Chair of the Florida Supreme Court Gender Bias Commission and Chair of the Gender Bias Study Implementation Commission
- Panelist at the United States State Department on issues of international access to justice, 2008
- Former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Miami Dade County Law Library, 2006-2016
- Former Chair of the Board of Directors to Spectrum Programs for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
- Past president of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (FAWL)
- Circuit Court Judge, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, 1997-2016
- Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, 1981-1997
- Walton, Lantaff, Schroeder & Carson, 1977-1981
- Dade County Public School System, 1970-1976
- J.D., cum laude, University of Miami, 1977
- M.Ed, University of Miami, 1973
- B.S. Ed., cum laude, Temple University, 1970
Counsel Comments
- “Her extensive experience, persistence, fairness and hard work have built her a solid reputation for resolving even the most complex issues.”
-Partner, Florida Firm - “Judge Freeman’s overall impact to citizens of Miami-Dade County is immeasurable.”
-Partner, Miami Firm - “[Judge Freeman] did an excellent job. She challenged clients and allowed the parties to look at alternative means for the resolution of the case.”
-Named Partner, Miami Law Firm - “Judge Freeman's knowledge of Florida Construction Law was invaluable.”
-Associate, Miami Construction Firm
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Practice Areas
- Arbitration
- Business/Commercial
- Construction
- Construction Defect
- Engineering and Construction
- Estates/Probate/Trusts
- Family Law
- Professional Liability
- Real Property
- Surety
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