Julie Braman Kane is a lawyer, advocate, volunteer, wife and mother who has surely made a positive impact in our community and beyond.
In her 23 years at Colson Hicks Eidson, she has had great role models, including Dean Colson and Mike Eidson who have also been honored as Gables Greats. Julie certainly fits the mold for this firm whose history speaks to giving back to the community and encouraging its lawyers to engage and provide leadership in community and professional organizations.
As for Julie’s early years, she was born in Chicago and raised in Houston, TX. She came to South Florida to study at the University of Miami where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English, magna cum laude (1990) and then with a JD, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law (1993). A stellar Miami Hurricane, Julie wasa Dean’s Merit Scholar, recipient of the American Jurisprudence Book Award in Commercial Law II, and was inducted into the legal honor societies of Phi Delta Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Julie first became involved with community service work through her temple youth group; but an assignment on supporting a political campaign from her high school government teacher was what really spoke to her and helped develop not only an interest in politics but also in volunteering. Her passion for working with groups to help protect important American rights and liberties carries over to her law practice representing people who have been harmed by the negligence of others.
Julie is extremely active with the American Association for Justice: vice president, 2014-15; secretary, 2013-14; treasurer, 2012-13; parliamentarian, 2011-12; executive committee, 2003-04, 2006-08, 2010- present; past chair, Women’s Caucus; past chair, Product Liability Section, and past chair, Voter Protection Action Committee.
In addition, Julie serves on the Florida Justice Association Board of Directors, 1998-present; past chair, Young Lawyers Division; past chair, Women’s Caucus; was State of Florida Elections Commission Commissioner, 2008-11; served on Justice PAC Board of Trustees, 2008-10; was involved in the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, president, 2009-10; past president-elect, secretary, treasurer, newsletter editor, and also served on the AIEG Board of Directors.
She currently serves on the Summit Council, 2013-present, and was on the National College of Advocates Board of Trustees, 2003-08, co-chairing, 2007-09. To add to her list of many activities, she was involved with the Dade County Bar Association, director, 2008-09, and was on the board of directors for the Miami-Dade Justice Association, 1998-2002.
Julie’s work for the American Association for Justice (AAJ) is her way of protecting the United States Constitution’s Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial and access to courts. This work that speaks to her heart, not only protects her current and future clients, but protects all of our constitutional rights. Julie is most proud of her work with the Voter Protection Action Committee, the AAJ’s national election protection program that protects the voting rights of American citizens whose access to the polls is limited.
Julie started and chaired the Voter Protection Action Committee in 2012, when voter suppression legislation was on the rise across America. As chair, Julie helped ensure that U.S. citizens voting rights were assured and their ballots were counted during the 2012 election. Under her leadership, the Voter Protection Action Committee is gearing up again to partner with other national organizations to ensure that all legitimate votes are counted during the November 2014 election.
This very busy dedicated woman has been married to Jeffrey Kane for almost 20 years and is the mother of three wonderful children: Jonah, 15, and twins Annie and Sophie, 9. When she is not working, volunteering or spending time with her family, she enjoys walking, reading and baking.
