Attorney At Law Magazine First Coast interviewed General Magistrate Marquita, the 2023 Woman Lawyer Of The Year for JWLA, about her career, community involvement, and future aspirations.
AALM : How does it feel to be named JWLA Woman Attorney of the Year to you?
MGThis is a very prestigious award and I am sure that the committee didn’t choose it lightly.
AALM
MG I am a person with a big heart and see the legal profession as allowing me to help others in countless ways. When I was young, I had a fascination with the idea of becoming a lawyer. As a child, I watched the Cosby Show. Clair Huxtable’s image as a hard-working, fun-loving woman who is a mother, wife and lawyer gave me hope I could achieve it all.
During college, I became a mentor. I also developed a strong sense of community. After graduating college, I began working in the field of social services and was able to gain experience in courtrooms that dealt with children and families. These experiences led me to apply to a law school. During my judicial internship, I realized that serving the community in a quasijudicial or judicial role was a great way to give back. The ability to show compassion and respect for others is a reflection of who I am both inside and outside the courtroom. It has been an excellent fit for me.
AALM What were some of the challenges that you faced as a female lawyer? How did you overcome these challenges?
MG I moved from Pennsylvania to Florida when my oldest child turned five and my youngest child was nine months. Early on, I was stretched by raising a young family while also pursuing a new career.
I was talking to my daughters in their late high-school days, and they shared at random that they remembered spending their summers on the courthouse. The comment shocked me, so I asked my daughters to explain. They were probably joking, but I asked them to clarify.
As an on-call lawyer, I had to work early mornings, nights and weekends, even holidays, while raising my family. It was difficult for me to put the work aside and be present with my family and myself. I did not give up my dreams, goals or responsibilities despite the imperfections and imbalances. Over the years I have learned to better manage my time and resources. I learned to communicate better. I learned to be more present. I learned to prioritize and set boundaries. Even when and how I should give myself grace.
AALM : Tell about your involvement in the local legal community. Do you have any particular groups that are close to your heart? What else do you want to accomplish in the community?
MG I am the chair of JWLA’s health and wellness committee. As I observe the other board member’s connections and brainstorming ideas for the legal profession, I am grateful to be in the same space as such dedicated and committed individuals. I also value the JWLA’s connections with the statewide FAWL.
Together, we can do more than we could ever imagine.
I am a member of Jacksonville Bar Association, where I’ve participated in programs such as Ribault Future Lawyers and Leaders program and been involved with the health and wellness committee. Mentorship is important, because it gives us energy for today and leaves a legacy for tomorrow. Also, it helps us to maintain our balance. My belief is that our overall wellness and health is what keeps us grounded, and helps us move forward.
I am a lifelong student and appreciate the opportunities offered by the Florida Family Law American Inn of Courts. As a member local bar associations, I cherish CommUnity Legal Day. What I value most is the opportunity to bring together the local legal community to serve the entire community. This is particularly true because my family participated with me at those CommUnity Legal Days.
AALM How do you personally support women lawyers who are aspiring? What else could the legal community do to encourage women to practice law?
MG I want to share every opportunity, gift, and skill that I possess with others. I try to be available and approachable to anyone who has a question or needs support. When people talk to me, I try to listen beyond what is said. In these spaces, I am able to offer encouraging words and empower others in order to build and motivate them to live their lives fully. I believe that we as a community do an excellent job in offering opportunities and support to women practicing law. We should continue to provide a variety of connections and growth opportunities, both professionally, and interpersonally.
AALM Looking back at your career, are there any things you would change?
Timing is everything in MG! Every career move I made was at the right time. The only thing I might have done differently was to become more involved in local bar associations earlier on in my career.
AALM Looking forward, what else do you want to achieve in your career? Another milestone to reach?
MG While I enjoy my work as a magistrate, serving the community on a quasi-judicial basis, I hope one day to serve the greater community as a Duval County judge.
AALM Tell us about your outside of the law life.
MG I used to think of myself as a taxi driver because I spent so much money transporting my girls to school and to community events. Since my daughters are grown and no longer living at home, I am spending less time in the vehicle and more time outside. Running and training for half-marathons is something I enjoy doing, whether it’s by myself, my husband or a group. This year, I am challenging myself and preparing to run a full marathon in New York of 26.2 miles.
AALM
MG As a student at the University of Virginia I had great hopes of becoming a middle-school teacher and working with adolescents. I wanted to be a middle school teacher during the time when adolescents were gaining their independence and discovering who they are as individuals. My journey to the classroom changed. I am thankful for the many opportunities to mentor youth in the community that I have been given over the years.
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