Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin

Live Oak native Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin is running for Suwannee County Judge. Jennifer has spent the majority of her career in quasi-JUDICIAL positions. First, as Child Support Hearing Officer and then as General Magistrate. Since being appointed more than a decade ago, Jennifer has presided over more than 20,000 trials and hearings. Jennifer currently receives referrals of cases in the areas of foreclosure, probate, guardianship, and pro se domestic relations. Once a case is referred from a judge to Jennifer, she sits in the role of the judge and presides over the case, just as the judge would. After hearing the case, Jennifer makes findings of fact and conclusions of law and recommends the entry of an order or Final Judgment.

Jennifer graduated as Valedictorian, Summa Cum Laude, from Suwannee High School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of South Florida. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida Law School.

Jennifer has a heart of service. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Live Oak, where she has been on the board since 2014 and is a Past President. Jennifer served on the School Advisory Council for twelve years and was the chair for seven of those years. With a love for children, Jennifer volunteered as an Early Learning Matters Pre-K reader for a number of years. Jennifer has also spearheaded the Dictionary Project, an annual service project where the Rotary Club purchases enough dictionaries for all third-grade students for a number of years.

Since 2009, Jennifer has immersed herself in service to the legal profession. She was the Third Circuit Young Lawyers Division Board of Governors representative from 2009-2015. She also formed the local Young Lawyers Section and served as President. Jennifer served on the Third Circuit Voluntary Bar Association’s board from 2009 to 2016 and served as president from 2015 to 2016.

Jennifer served as the state-wide Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Section, leading approximately 2,000 Florida Bar members. While chair, she originated a CLE (“Continuing Legal Education”) Series, “Wednesday Wisdom” and moderated the free monthly series for three years.

Jennifer wrote the cover story for the May/June 2019 Florida Bar Journal. She authored, “Keeping the Cogs Turning: Resources for Solo and Small-Firm Practitioners. Over 100,000 Florida Lawyers receive a copy of the Florida Bar Journal.

Combining her love of the law and desire to help the next generation of lawyers, Jennifer authored, "Deadly Escape," a legal thriller that has been used by Stetson Law as a criminal law coursebook for many years!

Jennifer is so passionate about the law that she frequently presents CLE’s about various topics that will help better the profession. Jennifer has helped organize and moderate countless CLE’s and has presented nine CLE’s throughout her career.

Jennifer has the experience needed to be Suwannee County Judge. Her career choices and volunteer activities make it obvious she is passionate about the law.

Running a courtroom requires the ability to listen, the ability to understand complicated matters, the patience for details, and the compassion to help those who are dealing with life-altering situations. Hopefully, you will never have to appear in her courtroom, but if you do, Jennifer will be a judge who is prepared, balanced, and fair. She will give you the time that you deserve. She will listen and render a fair judgment.