Marilyn Milian

In contrast to The People's Court' s previous arbiters, Milian is considerably more animated in her role, with an assertively loud voice and tendency to talk with her hands (gesticulate), but she’s also known for being levelheaded and logical in her observations and handling of the cases. Although engaging for the most part, Milian also dishes out a good-natured, lively sass at the litigants and does not tolerate any disrespect from them.

Milian was portrayed by Cecily Strong in a 2017 Saturday Night Live parody of The People's Court where she presided over a case between President Donald Trump and three judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

The People's Court has featured several arbitrators, with Milian currently holding the title of the longest-presiding arbitrator over the series. By completion of the show's 28th season (2012–13), Milian had completed twelve and a half seasons presiding over the program, officially making her the longest-running judge on The People's Court. Joseph Wapner, the show's original judge, was the previous holder of this record. On September 7, 2015, the show as a whole entered its 31st season, which is Milian's 15th season presiding over the program.

Milian is married to John Schlesinger, a former assistant United States attorney, who in 2004 was elected to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, Florida, the same position that Milian held before retiring to The People's Court. They live in Coral Gables, Florida, with their three children. She travels to Stamford, Connecticut, bimonthly for three days of taping of The People's Court.

Milian serves as presiding judge in the second life of the courtroom show The People's Court, the first arbitration-based reality court show and the second-longest running court show in history. Milian has presided over the program since spring 2001, which was late in The People's Court' s 17th season (or fourth season of the revived version of the show).

Milian worked as an assistant state attorney for the Dade County State Attorney's Office. She was appointed to the position by Janet Reno, who was then the state attorney for the county. In 1999, Florida governor Jeb Bush appointed Milian to the Miami Circuit Court, where she served in the Criminal Division. Prior to that, she spent five years in the Miami County Court in the Domestic Violence Court, Criminal, and Civil divisions. In 2001, she replaced Jerry Sheindlin as judge of The People's Court, and became the first Hispanic judge on any English-language television court show. Milian is listed as an adjunct faculty member of the University of Miami School of Law, teaching litigation skills.

Marilyn Milian (born May 1, 1961) is an American television personality, lecturer, and retired Florida Circuit Court judge who presides over the American courtroom television series The People's Court. She is the first Hispanic arbitrator to preside over a court show. By the end of the show's 28th season (2012–13), Milian had completed twelve-and-a-half seasons presiding over The People's Court, making her the longest-presiding arbitrator on the series.