The Miami Herald from Miami, Florida • 194

SUNDAY PROFILE I THE HERALD so IGETITO KNOW CECILIA ALTONAGA Personal: Age 36. She was born in Baltimore, after her parents escaped from Cuba. She has lived in Coral Gables for 13 years since marrying George Mencio, 48, lead attorney of the international law department at Holland Knight. She is a graduate of Yale Law School. Work: Altonaga soon will give up her seat on the county court to replace Carol Gersten, who is retiring from the 11th Judicial Circuit.

In addition to helping out at her daughters school, Altonaga volunteers as an active alum of Florida International University and by judging mock student trials sponsored by the Florida Bar Association. Family: In addition to Mencio, Altonagas family includes three daughters ages 9, 7, and 9 months. Reflections: I love to learn something new. Thats one of the things I love about this profession: I get the chance to learn something new every day. County judge attains new benchmark Story by LISETTE GARCIA Herald Staff Writer Photo by NURI VALLBONA Herald Photographer HIGHER COURT Miami-Dade County Judge Cecilia Altonaga moves following her recent appointment by Gov.

Jeb Bush. to the 1 1 th Circuit Court, seeing the struggle in my family. Its terrible to say it, but it was probably the immigrant experience that did it to me. Part of her deep sense of family pride is also what makes the honor or the timing bittersweet, she says. Her father Juan Manuel Altonaga died of pneumonia on June 18, two days after the judicial nominating committee sent her name to Tallahassee with five others.

Its something of a tribute to my dad. Its sad that he died before he could learn of the appointment. Her father practiced family law at his private firm in Cuba prior to the 1959 Communist revolt on the island. When the family fled its homeland in 1960, her father was forced to find another means of support. He sold insurance.

That was until a University of Florida program for exiled Cuban lawyers prepped him in U.S. jurisprudence, allowing him to take the bar exam. About 30 of the initial 300 people who took the test passed on the first try, Altonaga said. Her dad was one of them. After that, retracing his footsteps was a natural progression, Altonaga said.

It is true in more ways than one. History repeats itself, she said, laughing about the charm of raising three daughters since she also forms part of a trio of sisters. Im always doing things with the girls. I take great joy in the togetherness. One of Altonagas sisters.

Ana, is a dentist in Phoenix. Her other sister Patricia of West Miami-Dade County Judge Cecilia Altonaga celebrated her 13th wedding anniversary last week. But that is not why she is smiling. The glow lingering over her may have more to do with her recent appointment to the 1 1th Judicial Circuit. Altonaga, who lives in Coral Gables, says she does not mind moving up in her career while still sitting on the bench.

It is quite an honor. Im very humbled, said Altonaga, 36. As a child, I always had a sense that I wanted to make a difference. At her current post, Altonaga has completed almost three years of county-level service since her October 1996 appointment by Gov. Lawton Chiles.

She got the news of her pending promotion to state-level chambers in a quick phone call from Gov. Jeb Bush midway through a Monday afternoon jury selection Aug. 16. It was very startling. The whole process is pretty rigorous, said Altonaga, whose application contained two volumes of opinions, briefs and case summaries.

The entire judicial nominating committee was very impressed with her, said Coral Gables City Attorney Elizabeth Hernandez, who sat on the panel. Lets face it, were just very proud of the governors choice. Altonaga never has been put off by competition, she says, or by having to strive for hard-fought goals: Perhaps it was pinch hits as baby sitter, which helps the two-career family. Still, it can be hectic. Except for some sleepless nights deliberating over tough cases, Altonaga says she will have to set aside quiet moments for herself until later.

Ill have enough of those when my kids are grown." The most difficult thing, she said, is shedding the grief of courtroom dramas played out before her each day when she goes home and resumes her motherhood role. If anything, I dont want it to affect my kids lives. she said. When I come home. I make a point of leaving it behind, although it can be hard.

e-mail: ligarciaherald.com Dade is a lawyer with the Department of Children and Families. Each kept their maiden name, a sign that they are independent, professional women, Altonaga said. Her colleagues recognize her feminist spirit: I was always very impressed when I had to go before her. She is professional, sharp and extremely unbelievably intelligent, said Hernandez, who once represented contractors before Altonaga. As women, we should be very proud of her.

Altonaga said a strong sense of self is also what she wants for her girls, each bom on holidays: For me it was always they should stay ha they are. She said she feels she man- i ages to foster that in the girls with the solid support and encouragement of her husband George Mencio, 48, lead attorney of the international law department at Holland Knight. Mencio said he shares in the feeling of victory. This was one of our greatest moments, he said. An honor like this has a lot to do with one career and progress but its also a family thing.

The girls are thrilled. They understand it's a privilege and, obviously, they're proud of their mom. Maybe more than of me. It's very hard to juggle work and family, Altonaga said. I couldn't manage if it ren't for my family.

Her great-grandmother often I 'JrnH ttlli i.