Karen Mills-Francis Biography

Fast Facts

• Named valedictorian of her high school's graduating class
• Earned her bachelor's degree from Maine's Bowdoin College before eventually attending law school at the University of Florida
• Worked in public affairs after college, work that would eventually convince her to attend law school
• Earned her first judgeship in 2000, becoming Miami-Dade County's second African American female to serve on the bench
• Left the bench in 2008 to host her self-titled, syndicated court show, "Judge Karen"
• Is a longtime foster parent to children she meets in court