Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte  1933 - 2019

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that a pillar of the Legal Community, Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, passed away on the Monday afternoon of May 21, 2019 at the age of 85.  He was a man of great wisdom, warmth, and integrity.  Among his many accomplishments, in academics, law, and politics, he was a long time and active supporter of the Supreme Court Historical Society for decades, serving as president in 1990-1991 and receiving our Historical Society’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2015.

His continued devotion to the law, the Florida judiciary, the legal profession, and to public service, as well as his outstanding character and ethics, are deserving of this Society's greatest appreciation and highest honor. .

Visitation for family and friends will take place from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, June 4 in the D’Alemberte Rotunda at the FSU College of Law.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, June 5 in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall located in the Westcott building on Florida State University campus, with a reception to follow.

Both remembrances are open to the public

The legal community from all over the state came together on Friday evening May 17, 2019, at the Floridan Palace Hotel in Downtown Tampa for a cocktail reception to celebrate the distinguished career of Justice Peggy Quince after her recent retirement from the Florida Supreme Court.

 Justice Quince requested that her celebration be a cocktail reception, which would allowed  her to mingle, say “hello,” and meet with all the guests at the event. Doors opened at 5:30 PM for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

In addition to the mingling, the cocktails, and great food, there was a jazz quartet to provide a warm musical background for the evening. Guests also had the opportunity to record a short video of themselves for Justice Quince, in which they were welcome to share their favorite story that involved Justice Quince, thank her for her contribution to Florida's Judiciary and the State of Florida, or just congratulate her on her retirement. 

        View the Photo Gallery from Justice Quince's Celebration

Justice Lewis's Legal & Judicial Career Celebration

The legal community from all over the state came together on April 18, 2019, in Coral Gables, Florida, to celebrate the distinguished career of Justice R. Fred Lewis after his recent retirement from the Florida Supreme Court.

Justice Lewis was able to enjoy this celebration in his honor alongside his family, including his wife, his daughter and son-in-law, and granddaughters. He was also joined by much of Florida's legal and judicial community who admire and appreciate the work he has put into the state of Florida throughout his tenure as a Supreme Court Justice and his prior specialization in civil and appellate litigation.

View the Photo Gallery of Justice Lewis's Retirement Celebration

We also look forward to seeing you at these Upcoming Supreme Court Events

June 8, 2019

Justice Barbara Pariente Retirement Celebration

The sit-down dinner event will be held in conjunction with the 70th Anniversary of the Palm Beach Legal Aid Society at legalaidpbc.org/probono_rec.php

September 24, 2019

Justice Luck and Justice Muñiz Investiture

Florida Supreme Court Building, Tallahassee

500 S Duval Street, Tallahassee, FL

2019 Message From the President Edward G. Guedes

It is without any sense of irony that I can affirmatively state that the past six months at the Florida Supreme Court have, in fact, been “historic(al).”  At no time in the 79 years since the Florida Supreme Court’s membership was increased to seven justices have three justices left the Court at precisely the same time, as occurred in January of this year with the retirements of Justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince.  What’s more, those retirements coincided to the day with the swearing in of a new governor, Ron DeSantis, who almost immediately upon entering office, was required to appoint new justices to fill the three vacancies.

Read the rest of the President's Message 

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The Supreme Court of Florida   - A Journey Toward Justice, 1972 -1987  

Volume III describes the court during its most tumultuous years. Amid he upheaval of the civil rights moment, the Vietnam War, and Watergate, the story begins with reform in the entire Florida court system. It includes the court’s first black justice, Joseph Hatchett; Governor Reubin Askew’s new system for merit selection of justices; and revision of Article V, the section of the state constitution dealing with the judiciary.

Neil Skene moves on to cover landmark court decisions; the introduction of cameras in court; changes to media law, personal injury law, and family ...

To learn more about Volume III