Tuesday, Sept. 30, was a happy day for retired Circuit Judge Sandra Champ , who was Marion County's first elected female county judge and has an Ocala street named after her.

Champ's daughter Alea Stephens was sworn in as a lawyer by County Judge LeeAnn Mackey-Barnes at a ceremony held at the Marion County Judicial Center.

On the occasion, Champ told a Star-Banner reporter: "It's a blessing to see it come to fruition for me and my legacy, and for her and her future."

Alea Stephens told the gathering of family and friends that she was excited.

Stephens graduated from Florida State University with a degree in creative writing and then earned her law degree from the Barry University School of Law. She presently works at the Attorney General's Office in Tampa in the criminal division.

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