Woody R. Clermont has made history as the first Haitian-American male judge elected in Broward County, Florida. His investiture ceremony occurred on February 28, 2025, at the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, following his election in November 2024.
Educational and Professional Background
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Clermont has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service and justice. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Binghamton University in 1992, where he was contemporaries with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Mayville State University, an MBA, a Master of Science in Economics, a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, and a Master of Science in Data Analytics from Western Governors University.
Professionally, Clermont served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office from 2005 to 2010, gaining extensive prosecutorial experience. He later worked as an Assistant City Attorney for Miami Beach from 2022 to 2024, leading its municipal prosecution team.
Judicial Appointment and Community Involvement
Clermont’s appointment as a County Court Judge filled the vacancy left by the retiring Judge Robert F. Diaz. He is affiliated with several organizations, including the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the TJ Reddick Bar Association, and the Haitian Lawyers Association. He also actively participates in ministry work through his home church, the New Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Clermont’s election and investiture represent significant milestones in Broward County’s judicial history, reflecting the community’s commitment to diversity and representation.
For more insights into Judge Woody Clermont’s journey, you might find this interview informative:
