Hawkins Revels in her Trifecta Celebration

Photos by Navael Fontus
Hawkins stopped to pose for the camera with a wide smile many times during her Trifecta celebration.

Hawkins dearest colleagues spoke nothing but good in their toasts’.

Hawkins and her guests listened to a special phone call made by a friend.

By Navael Fontus

Outlook Writer

She was elated. She was excited. And, most importantly, she was thankful. Attorney Judith Hawkins was glowing as she was the center of attention at her Roast n’ Toast at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Sunday to celebrate the opening of her new attorney’s office.

Hawkins’ most loyal family, friends, and colleagues were in attendance at her roast, titled Trifecta, to help celebrate. People who Hawkins has most affected through her hard work in her career spoke briefly about their relationship with Hawkins. Spiritual praise music was sung to Hawkins and her guests by singers who are her dear friends.

The former judge has opened up her own law firm in Tallahassee after being on the bench for 18 years. After a depressing end to her second term as county judge, Hawkins decided it was time to start a new chapter in her life with law and opened the office on Tennessee Street.
“I am just now going back to being in private practice with all the additional experience and exposure. I hope it will make me a much better lawyer than the first time around,” said Hawkins with a wide smile.

Hawkins was jubilant at her celebration speaking to everyone with a big smile and occasionally broke out into a happy dance. She greeted each of her guests with a warm welcome and took countless pictures with others to capture the moment.

The mood was cheerful and merry, as Hawkins appeared truly grateful to be where she was. Every so often she would take the time out to thank everyone for coming and expressed endless gratitude for colleagues who spoke on her behalf.

“Words cannot describe how I feel about her and what I see the next phase of her career coming to,” said Kamela Boyd a longtime friend and colleague of Hawkins who gave Boyd her first job. She will be a blessing to the community now that she is practicing law again.”

She spoke about the meaning of trifecta to her – a three-fold winning celebration. She turned 64-years-old. She completed her years as a judge. And, she’s opened her new office. The Sunday trifecta celebration was a great way to demonstrate each, she said.

Her guests said that Hawkins is a seasoned lawyer who shouldn’t give up her passion even when faced with the adversity that came with her last position. She took their words to heart.

“Adversity to me means that the stones people throw at you to destroy you, are the stones that you use to step on up to higher levels,” Hawkins said.