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But even as their professional paths diverged and they
moved on to other law firms, Conway and Griffin remained
close, each still finding time to pursue volunteer activities.
Both judges have long had an abiding interest in the welfare
and education of children. Griffin, a former school teacher in
Seminole County named Young Teacher of the Year in 1972,
said she always tried to teach young people in her community
about our legal system and how it works through the state
and local bar association during her tenure as an attorney.
She also volunteered in the guardian ad litem program in
Orange County, which she said has excellent programs for the
disadvantaged. Conway donated time to the Orange County
Bar Association doing pro bono work and sat on the board of
the Orlando Legal Services Corps for many years.
TRAVELING TOGETHER
In recent years Conway and Griffin have made trips to
Lima, Peru, to spend time at Hogar San Francisco de Asis, a
residential facility for critically ill children from impoverished
backgrounds, run by the brother of one of Conwayʼs
colleagues. Helping to support the residence with both her
time and financial contributions has been an important project
Both judges have long
had an abiding interest
in the welfare and
education of children.
Conway (left) with her daughter
Carolyn Robinson (center), and
Judge Jacqueline Griffin on a
trip to La Paz, Bolivia
for Conway, whose two daughters joined her on the month
long visits to the facility. Griffin, who lived in Spain and is
fluent in Spanish, was eager to participate, though she was
only able to stay at the facility for a few days.
“Iʼve been there twice with Anne,” Griffin said. “I love the
children, and my Spanish came in handy. I read to them and
brought jigsaw puzzles for them to play with.”
Griffin, who never married, dubs herself “fairy godmother”
to Conwayʼs two daughters, Nell and Carolyn, to whom she
has always been “Aunt Jackie.” And having homes 10 minutes
apart in Winter Park, near Orlando, has made it easy for the
two to stay connected amid their busy careers.
“Jackie is like a member of the family to us,” Conway said.
Anyone visiting Griffinʼs office in Daytona Beach will
more than likely meet Cupcake, the resident feline. But those
familiar with Griffinʼs love for animals know that Cupcake is
only one of many lucky animals who have crossed Griffinʼs
path. Animal welfare and rescue has long held a special place
in her heart.
“A large amount of my spare time is spent in animal rescue
activities in Volusia County,” said Griffin, who was mum as
to the number of feline friends she lives with. “Our main
activities are bringing cats and dogs to PetSmart on weekends
for adoption, as well as animal rescue.”
Conway, who is not a cat person, volunteers in her
community as a tutor.
“My interest is more with kids,” Conway said. “I go to an
elementary school twice a week and read to the kindergartners
and first graders.”
GIVING BACK
Another facet of the judgesʼ public service work has
been their participation in the Levin College of Lawʼs
Center for Governmental Responsibility since their law
school days. Both are on the centerʼs advisory board and
were panel members at the January symposium about
privacy law.
Both judges also attended the annual Legal and Policy
Issues Conference in Lima, Peru, last May, co-sponsored by the
Center for Governmental Responsibility and the collegeʼs Law
& Policy in the Americas Program, where Conway participated
in a symposium about legal education and professionalism.
Conwayʼs younger daughter, Nell, who will begin law school
at UF this fall, also attended the conference.
Conway also has made a five-year financial commitment
to the Center for Governmental Responsibility, said Jon Mills,
the centerʼs director and dean emeritus of the law college. He
has known both judges since they were his research assistants
during their law school days.
“They were both extremely smart and very idealistic,”
Mills said. “They energized each other.” ■
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