IN THIS EDITION

• Chief Justice Charles Canady Message: Keep the Courts Open
• 70 Years of The Florida Bar
• The Florida Bar Complex
• The Florida Bar Exam
• The 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment
• The Florida Bar’s Cuban-American Lawyers Program
• History of the Florida Bar Board of Examiners
• Court Hosts Online Oral Arguments During Pandemic
• A Supreme Evening 2020
• Court Hosts FSU Law Moot Court

View the photo gallery of

A Supreme Evening 2020

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Florida's Premier Judicial Dinner Event that was held on January 30, 2020 at the University Center Club in Tallahassee, FL.

The Court Receives Gift of Donn Dughi's Photo Collection 

The Florida Supreme Court recently received an impressive photo collection by renowned photojournalist Donn Dughi. For decades, sitting on the floor in front of them and amidst the flowers, pomp, circumstance, Governor, Cabinet, Senators, and Representatives was Donn Dughi, like a timeless fixture, capturing it all through the lens of his camera. Donn got photos of the Justices on the front row like no one else.

Read more and view Donn Dughi Photo Collection

A Message From the President Jonathan Claussen

Our Florida Supreme Court has undergone a period of great change over the last year

with the retirement of Justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente, and Peggy Quince at the

beginning of 2019. The Society worked closely with the Court and the retiring Justices to

ensure that each Justice’s retirement celebration was a success. The Society was happy to

see so many familiar faces at each of these events to honor the retired Justices.

Of course, the retirement ceremonies meant the addition of Justices Barbara Lagoa,

Robert Luck and Carlos Muñiz. The Society worked with each new Justice to assist with

the planning and execution of the investiture of Justice Lagoa, held on May 10, 2019,

and a joint investiture for Justices Luck and Muñiz, held on September 24, 2019.

Read the rest of the President's Message 

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

To renew your membership online, select the Login button in the red box to the right and enter your email address to receive access to your profile by email.  If your name appears in the red box you are already logged in, click on your name to view your profile.

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