Robert N. Scola, Jr.
Adjunct Clinical Professor,
Judicial Externship Program
Education
B.A., Brown University
J.D., Boston College Law School
The Honorable Robert N. Scola has been a Circuit Court Judge since his appointment to the bench in 1995. He has served with distinction in the Criminal, Family and General Jurisdiction Divisions and has consistently been one of the highest rated judges in the “exceptionally qualified” category in judicial bar polls. His distinguished service on the bench has been recognized by his receipt of the following judicial awards for professionalism and integrity: Hon. William Hoeveler Professionalism Award, Florida Bar Committee on Professionalism, 2007; Justice Award, Miami-Dade County League of Prosecutors, 2005; Judge of the Year Award, Florida Bar Law Related Education Program, 2004; Judge Steven Levine Award, Miami-Dade Justice Association, 2006; Jurist of the Year Award, First American Family Law Inns of Court, 2002. Hon. Gerald Kogan Judicial Distinction Award, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Miami Chapter, 2001.
Judge Scola has been a frequent lecturer at continuing judicial education seminars and has made presentations at the Florida New Judges’ College, the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges, and the Florida Conference of County Court Judges on a variety of subjects. He has also made presentations at continuing legal education programs sponsored by the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Dade County Civil Defense Attorneys Association, Family Law Inns of Court, Florida Bar Put Something Back Program, and the International Association of Civil Defense Lawyers.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Scola was a major crimes prosecutor for the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office where he served from 1980 to 1986 and then was sole practitioner handling criminal investigations and trials from 1986 to 1995. He also served as President of the Miami Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and as Chairperson of a Florida Bar Grievance Committee.
Judge Scola graduated from Brown University with a degree in English and American Literature in 1977 and from Boston College Law School, cum laude, in 1980.