Spring 2012 Florida State Law magazine - Florida State University ...

Noteworthy
Florida Supreme
Court Justice
Ricky Polston
Named Chief Justice
Supreme Court Justice
Ricky Polston
Florida Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston (’87) was
elected unanimously to serve as Florida’s 55th Chief Justice
of the Florida Supreme Court, starting July 1, 2012. Polston,
who will serve a two-year term, is the first Florida State Law
alum to be selected as Chief Justice of the state’s highest court.
“I am deeply honored by my colleagues’ vote,” said Polston
in a press release. “And I commit myself to be a faithful
steward of this public trust, recognizing that I am a servant
to the people of Florida, to the constitution, and to the laws
of the land.”
Polston served as a judge of the First District Court of
Appeal from January 2001 until October 2008, when he
left to join the Supreme Court. He received his law degree
with high honors in December of 1986 and also earned his
bachelor’s degree from Florida State.
With his wife Deborah Ehler Polston, he has been a vocal
advocate for children’s causes, especially in promoting the
adoption of children from the foster care system. He and
his wife raised four children of their own before adopting a
sibling set of six.
Polston also teaches at least two courses per year at the
law school.
Alumni Key Players
in High-Profile
Murder Case
Florida State University College of Law alumni have been
well-represented in the national media this year regarding
the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. The case has attracted
media from around the United States and attorneys on both
sides of the case have ties to the law school.
Benjamin Crump (’95), Daryl Parks (’95) and Jasmine
Rand (’09) are all representing the family of the late Trayvon
Martin. The three attorneys practice with the Tallahassee
firm Parks & Crump.
George Zimmerman, the man who openly admitted to
shooting Martin while maintaining that he acted in selfdefense,
is represented by defense attorney Mark O’Mara
(’82). O’Mara, of the O’Mara Law Group, is based out of
Orlando, Florida.
Alisia M. Adamson (’08) is the attorney for the family of
a 13-year-old witness. She practices in the Orlando office of
Hylton, Adamson, Watson & Moore.
Florida Senator Chris Smith (’95) formed an independent
task force to evaluate Florida’s provocative “Stand Your
Ground” law. The law, simply stated, allows a person to meet
force with force if they reasonably believe they are in danger
of being killed or seriously harmed.
“We’re thrilled that our alums are involved in all aspects
of this important case,” said Dean Don Weidner.
Florida State’s involved alumni have been featured and interviewed
by an enormous number of national media outlets,
including, but not limited to, CNN, The Huffington Post, Fox
News and National Public Radio.
22 Florida State Law