Candidate Profile: Christina Arguelles

Orlando private practice attorney Christina Arguelles has a playful way for people to remember her name: think of pop singer Christina Aguilera. While Arguelles won’t make any promises about singing for the people, she told VoxPopuli recently that if she earns a spot on the bench, they will be listened to. 

“You’ll be heard in my courtroom,” said Arguelles, who has spent more than a decade as an associate attorney at her family’s firm Diez-Arguelles & Tejedor, where she’s handled complex civil cases, injury, bankruptcy, immigration, probate, family law and more. 

“I believe in hard work, efficiency, truthfulness and forthrightness, and those are personal attributes that I think are very important to the bench. Those are the values that need to be on the bench, and I have that. Someone that's going to be fair, somebody that can be impartial — I can be that.”

Arguelles, 38, is running for the open seat in Group 2 on the Ninth Circuit Court, which serves both Orange and Osceola counties. She faces Christie Lou Mitchell, an Orlando private practice attorney, in the nonpartisan election on Aug. 18. Circuit Court judges serve six-year terms and earn $200,836 annually.

The birth of her two children motivated her run. After her son was born, she began thinking about what she could do to “leave the world a better place.” A year and a half later, when her daughter was born and had to spend the next month in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) she realized that being a judge was the answer. 

“I experienced some of my worst days and had to put my heart into the hands of professionals, and I realized shortly thereafter that when people enter the courtroom, it's also their worst day,” Arguelles said. “If I can be the person that has compassion and understanding, and can relate to them as they enter my courtroom, and also have a deep understanding of the law, I can be a good judge for the people of Orange and Osceola.”

Here, Arguelles answers questions from the News Collaborative of Central Florida.

What professional experiences have best prepared you for the bench?

For more than a decade, I've handled complex civil litigation in Florida courts, representing clients through every stage of a case, from investigation to trial. Civil litigation often overlaps with many other areas of law, including family law, probate and trusts, bankruptcy, immigration, and even criminal matters. That breadth of experience has given me a well-rounded understanding of the legal system and reinforced the importance of preparation, careful analysis, and treating every person who comes before the court with fairness and respect.

What role should personal values play in judicial decision-making?

I believe qualities like integrity, humility, respect, and compassion are essential to being a good judge, and I strive to bring those values to everything I do. They shape how a judge listens to people, treats everyone with dignity, and conducts the courtroom. But when it comes to making decisions, the law, not personal beliefs or opinion, must always come first. Every person deserves to know their case will be decided fairly, based on the facts and the law.

How do you balance precedent with evolving societal standards?

Our legal system depends on consistency and fairness. A judge's role is to faithfully apply the law and follow binding precedent. When the law changes through the Legislature or higher courts, judges apply those changes, but they should never substitute their own views for the law.

What steps do you take to avoid conflicts of interest?

Public confidence in our courts depends on impartiality. I take ethical responsibilities seriously by being transparent, recognizing potential conflicts early, and following Florida's judicial ethics rules. If a conflict requires recusal, I would not hesitate to step aside to protect the integrity of the process.

What barriers to justice do you see in the current system, and how would you address them?

Two of the biggest barriers to justice are delay and cost. When cases take too long, legal expenses increase, uncertainty grows, and it becomes more difficult for families and businesses to move forward. As a judge, I would prioritize effective case management, clear communication, and timely resolution of cases whenever possible. Keeping cases moving while giving each one the attention it deserves helps reduce unnecessary costs, improves access to justice, and ensures every litigant receives a fair and efficient process.