Download Magazine - Levin College of Law - University of Florida

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Federal Bench UF is Fourth Among Public Law Schools to Fill Federal Judiciary B Y D E B O R A H C U P P L E S ( J D 0 5 ) Privacy rights. Free speech rights. Property rights. Civil rights. The list is long and the work profound for the federal judges who hear and decide cases involving the fundamental rights and protections of the American people. Thirty-four of the men and women now holding these crucial appointments are UF Law graduates. UF Law is fourth among public law schools in the country—ninth among private and public universities—to send graduates to fill the federal bench. In total, 39 have served. In February, U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcia Morales Howard (90) became No. 34 as she moved up to become a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. Appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, federal judges exercise wide authority and discretion in the cases over which they preside in the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Circuit Courts and U.S. Courts of Appeals. Many federal judges devote time to public service and educational activities through writing, speaking and teaching. Most, if not all, as evidenced by the three UF Law graduates profiled here, realize the tremendous impact their decisions have on American lives and in upholding of the Constitution. 20 U F L A W
KRISTEN HINES Judge Susan Harrell Black (JD 67) 11th Circuit Court Of Appeals She broke much ground and opened many doors. When George H.W. Bush appointed Susan Harrell Black to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1992, Black became the first Florida woman to sit on the 11th circuit. When Jimmy Carter appointed her to the federal bench in 1979, Black became the first woman to sit on a federal district court in Florida. In 1990, she was the first woman in the 11th Circuit to become chief judge of a district court. Black was one of two women in her UF Law graduating class of 100—and one of five women enrolled at UF Law at that time. “It was the norm for women to get through college early and get married shortly after they graduated,” Black said. “I was so anxious to get through law school, I even went through the summer. At 23, I actually felt old to be in school.” Though her heart was set on doing trial work, Black started her career practicing commercial law in the late ʼ60s. “At that time, the belief was that women wouldnʼt be good litigators,” Black said. “So it was difficult to join a litigation practice.” After practicing commercial law for a few years, Black managed to find work with a newly elected state attorney, Ed Austin. That was 1969, and Black was the first woman to become an assistant state attorney in Floridaʼs 4th judicial circuit. “Trial work didnʼt seem strange to me,” Black said. “Iʼd debated all through college. I was used to arguing in front of people.” The 1970s had a few more firsts in store for Black. She became the first woman county judge in Duval County. In 1975, she became the first woman circuit judge in Florida. Though it was outside the norm in the ʼ60s for women to become lawyers, Blackʼs father, William H. Harrell, a lawyer and later a judge, was supportive of her desire to go to law school. His views were traditional and reflected the times, but he also believed in education. His son, William H. Harrell Jr. (JD 74), also went to UF Law. “During World War II my father was a B17 pilot. His plane was shot down and he was captured by the Germans,” Black said. “If he hadnʼt made it home, my mother would have had to raise me alone. I think that experience enabled my father to see the benefits of a womanʼs self-sufficiency.” Black still remembers some of her UF law professors. “I didnʼt like Tax, but Jack Freeland was a great teacher and made it interesting,” Black said. “And I had Constitutional Law with Fletcher Baldwin. He was so enthusiastic and made the subject fascinating.” Beyond the education she received, Black sees her law school experience as crucial to her professional accomplishments. “Almost every job I got was because a UF lawyer helped me get it,” she said. “I met a lot of people, fine people, in law school.” After more than three decades, Black still enjoys being a judge. “A friend of mine calls being a federal judge the best job in law land, and I agree,” said Black. “Itʼs everything great about being a lawyer. Itʼs intellectually challenging and fun. Also, I get to be a generalist. As a judge, I see many lawyers who are great specialists, and they teach me about their fields.” Black has been married for 40 years. Her daughter, age 20, is not presently interested in a legal career, but that door will be open to her—as it is to so many women—partly because of the paths taken by Judge Susan Harrell Black. S U M M E R 2 0 0 7 21
Page 1 and 2: UF LAW U N I V E R S I T Y O F F L
Page 3 and 4: UF LAW Vol. 43, Issue 1 • Summer
Page 5 and 6: MARTHA BARNETT Honored by UF For he
Page 7 and 8: Connecting Cultures B Y K A Y L A H
Page 9 and 10: A Right to Privacy Autopsy photos.
Page 11 and 12: A Pioneer in the Field Baseball pla
Page 13 and 14: CONTINUING TO GIVE BACK His politic
Page 15 and 16: in Iraq Captain Peter J. Jennison (
Page 17 and 18: Two Grads Win Outstanding Young Alu
Page 19: 1 Law school tuition takes care of
Page 23 and 24: Judge S. Jay Plager (JD 58) U.S. Co
Page 25 and 26: KRISTEN HINES A Mutual Respect Judg
Page 27 and 28: SCRAPBOOK House Hunting I arrived a
Page 29 and 30: There is a good lunch crowd early o
Page 31 and 32: Douglass began practicing law with
Page 33 and 34: Alumni Provide a Glimpse into Their
Page 35 and 36: The humanization of our law profess
Page 37 and 38: ‘‘ Jack Freeland showed me that
Page 39 and 40: I began law school at the age of 34
Page 41 and 42: ‘‘ The following semester, I he
Page 43 and 44: The next night it was Property. The
Page 45 and 46: FACULTY OPINION Model Professors Wh
Page 47 and 48: FACULTY NEWS Leonard Riskin Brings
Page 49 and 50: Huck Finn Professor Says Icon is Ca
Page 51 and 52: Jeffrey Davis Professor; Gerald A.
Page 53 and 54: Pedro Malavet Professor ■ Appoint
Page 55 and 56: Scholarship Gregg D. Polsky Visitin
Page 57 and 58: Steve Willis Professor; Associate D
Page 59 and 60: with money,” Howe recalls, shakin
Page 61 and 62: CLASS NOTES Share Your News Please
Page 63 and 64: CLASS NOTES Jeanne Tate, managing p
Page 65 and 66: CLASS NOTES John Ruffier, of Lownde
Page 67 and 68: CLASS NOTES Steve Uhlfelder Receive
Page 69 and 70: IN MEMORIAM Professor Emeritus Fran
Page 71 and 72:
UP AND COMING Entertainment Law Up
show all

Download Magazine - Levin College of Law - University of Florida

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?