THE jurists
A jurist is an expert in law. Some dictionaries define jurists as either lawyers or judges.
The judges highlighted are those whose life experiences influenced their paths to the bench. Their backgrounds have informed their understanding and appreciation of the law.
The Honorable Henry Lee Adams, Jr.
The first Black person confirmed as a district judge to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. is a legal trailblazer. After growing up in segregated Jacksonville, Judge Adams graduated from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) and from Howard University School of Law. In 1972, he made history in joining Sheppard, Fletcher, Hand & Adams: the state's first integrated law firm.
In 1979, he became the first Black judge appointed to Florida's 4th Judicial Circuit. He was only the fourth Black circuit judge in the state's history. In 1980, he became the first Black judge to preside over a case where a white man was accused—and later found guilty of—killing a Black man. In 1993, he became the first Black person confirmed as a United States district court judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He was the second Black United States district court judge in Florida, with the Honorable Wilkie D. Ferguson receiving his commission two days before Judge Adams.
FAMU College of Law was established in 1949, and its first student was admitted in 1951. The College of Law was created because, at the time, Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896), deemed segregation constitutional so long as facilities for each race were "separate but equal." In 1965, the Florida legislature voted to close FAMU Law. This decision was supported, in part, because Black students were being admitted and graduating from historically white law schools in the state. For example, at UF, George Starke was admitted in 1958. W. George Allen, UF Law's first Black graduate, finished in 1962.
When the Florida legislature voted to close FAMU College of Law, it also voted to transfer the funds from FAMU Law to a new school: Florida State University (FSU) College of Law.
In this clip, Judge Adams talks about his decision to go to Howard University, an HBCU, for law school instead of going to FSU Law.
Judge Adams came of age during the Civil Rights Movement. In this clip, Judge Adams reflects on the relationship between protests and changes in the legal system.
Conversations on Catfish, Courtrooms and Change: The Life and Times of Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr.
Produced by Stunt Dog Productions
Original location: https://vimeo.com/19504738
The Honorable Verda Colvin
The first African-American female appointed by a Republican governor to the Georgia Supreme Court
Justice Verda Colvin is a first-generation attorney. Her pathway to the bench was as unconventional as it was unexpected. Throughout her career, she remained committed to service to community and excellence in the law. Her story explains how she trusted God and ordered her steps to earn a spot on the highest court in Georgia.
As a first generation attorney and a judge who excelled throughout her career, Justice Colvin provides advice to current and future law students and young attorneys who may struggle with knowing when they are capable within the profession.
Throughout her life, Justice Colvin sought opportunities to be rooted in the community through hands-on service. In this clip, she explains why legal professionals should strive to be connected to and invested in the communities they work in.
The Honorable Rhonda Peoples Waters
The first elected Black female judge in Duval County, Florida
A native of Selma, Alabama, Judge Peoples Waters grew up with a legacy of civil rights engrained in her. From a young age, she enjoyed reading and the worlds created in books. A graduate of Fisk University, Judge Peoples Waters attended the University of Florida for law school on the Virgil Hawkins Scholarship, an award to help fund the education of Black lawyers—which was reduced by the Florida Legislature in 2001.
Judge Peoples Waters remained in Florida after graduating law school and has remained committed to serving the Duval county area, which seats the city of Jacksonville. One of her guiding mottos after winning election to become the first elected Black female judge in Duval County is that she may be the first, but she is not the last.
Judge Peoples Waters comes from a family of educators and developed a love of reading at a young age. In this clip, Judge Peoples Waters describes how her love for reading developed into a dream to practice law.
Judge Peoples Waters gained her trial experience through the public defender's office. Every criminal defendant has the right to a court-appointed attorney if the defendant cannot afford to hire their own attorney. In this clip, Judge Peoples Waters describes what she learned in her time working as a public defender.
The Honorable Peggy Ann Quince
The first Black woman to serve on the Florida Supreme Court
Justice Peggy Ann Quince grew up in Norfolk, Virginia when public schools were navigating a rapidly changing landscape with the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. After graduating from high school, Justice Quince went to Howard University for college. There she debated between a career in medicine or a career in law. Eventually, she settled on law and embarked on a history-setting career in the profession.
Justice Quince grew up in a segregated society in Virginia. In this clip, she explains how segregation touched various aspects of her life.
Justice Quince was the first Black woman to serve on the Second District Court of Appeals in Florida and the Florida Supreme Court. In this clip, Justice Quince reflects on the path she took to get onto the bench.
One project Justice Quince led during her career was to document and preserve the history of Black lawyers and judges who have practiced and made history in Florida. The project culminated in a two-volume book named "Florida's First Black Lawyers," and the book is available through the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association as well as local libraries. In this clip, Justice Quince explains the project and its impact.