---
title: "Bertila Soto | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bertila-soto"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Bertila Soto

Florida Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Florida
- Role: Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/about-the-court/judges/judicial-directory)
- [Official roster](https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/about-the-court/judges/judicial-directory)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/about-the-court/judges/judicial-directory)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Chief Judge: First woman and first Hispanic to serve as Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit in 2013
- Previous roles: Miami-Dade County Court judge (1997–2002), assistant state attorney in the Misdemeanor Division (1989–1992), associate at Osvaldo N. Soto’s law firm
- Began legal career as a law clerk at her father’s firm, then as a legal intern and assistant state attorney in Miami-Dade
- Championed access to justice initiatives and pro bono opportunities for attorneys and law students
- First Hispanic, first female, and first Cuban American Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit
- Administrative duties: held the role of administrative judge for the Criminal Division and oversaw circuit and county court operations
- Bertila A. Soto is a judge of the Florida 11th Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade County), serving in the Probate Division and as a past Chief Judge, with a career spanning over 25 years in law and judicial service

### Education


### Additional information

- In 2024, Judge Soto received the Distinguished Judicial Service Award from the Florida Bar for her sustained public service and advocacy for pro bono legal work
- Appointed: 2002 by former Governor Jeb Bush to replace the late Judge Steven Levine
- Judge Soto presides in the Probate Division (PMH 03) at the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, Miami, FL.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f9444c394a89ab9f4ffde994) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.