Florida Third District Court of Appeal
The Florida Third District Court of Appeal is headquartered in Miami, Florida. Its ten judges have jurisdiction over cases arising from Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.
History
The Third District Court of Appeal (DCA) was one of the first three DCAs created by the Florida legislature in 1957. Court was first held in a room of the University of Miami School of Law. Then, from 1960 to 1976, court sessions took place at the State Office Building. It wasn't until 1976 that the court finally had its own facility to conduct its business. This courthouse was dedicated by Governor Reubin Askew in the fall of 1976. In 1990 an addition was added to keep pace with the court's continued growth. The courthouse has won the recognition of the American Institute of Architects (South Florida Chapter) and in 1981 Governor Bob Graham gave the court the Governor's Design Award.
The court's original three judges (Charles A. Carroll, Mallory H. Horton and Tillman Pearson) have increased to ten as of 2010.
Chief Judges
Judges who have served as Chief Judge of the Third DCA include:
- Frank A. Shepherd, July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015
- Linda Ann Wells, July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013
- Juan Ramirez, Jr., July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011
- David M. Gersten, July 1, 2007 until June 30, 2009
- Gerald B. Cope, Jr., July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007
- Phillip A. Hubbart, January 1, 1980 to June 30, 1982
- Alan R. Schwartz
- Thomas H. Barkdull, Jr.
Active Judges
Judges who are currently serving on the Third DCA include:
| Name | Tenure | Appointing Governor |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Emas | 2010- | Charlie Crist |
| Ivan F. Fernandez | 2011- | Rick Scott |
| Barbara Lagoa | 2006- | Jeb Bush |
| Thomas Logue | 2012- | Rick Scott |
| Leslie B. Rothenberg | 2005- | Jeb Bush |
| Vance E. Salter | 2007- | Charlie Crist |
| Edwin A. Scales, III | 2013- | Rick Scott |
| Frank A. Shepherd | 2003- | Jeb Bush |
| Richard J. Suarez - Chief Judge | 2004- | Jeb Bush |
| Linda Ann Wells | 2003- | Jeb Bush |
Retired Judges
Judges who have served on the Third DCA include:
| Name | Tenure | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Charles A. Carroll | (1957-1974) | |
| Mallory H. Horton | (1957-1965) | |
| Tillman Pearson | (1957-1980) | |
| Thomas H. Barkdull, Jr. | (1961-1996) | |
| Norman Hendry | (1961-1988) | |
| Richard H.M. Swann | (1965-1972) | |
| Robert M. Haverfield | (1972-1980) | |
| Raymond G. Nathan | (1974-1978) | |
| Phillip A. Hubbart | (1977-1996 ) | |
| James W. Kehoe | (1977-1979) | |
| Alan R. Schwartz | (1978-2004) | Currently serving as a senior judge |
| Joseph Nesbitt | (1979-1999) | |
| Natalie Baskin | (1980-1996) | |
| Daniel S. Pearson | (1980-1989) | |
| Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. | (1980-1993) | |
| James R. Jorgenson | (1981-2003) | |
| David L. Levy | (1989-2006) | |
| Mario P. Goderich | (1990-2005) | |
| Melvia B. Green | (1994-2008) | |
| John G. Fletcher | (1996-2007) | |
| Robert L. Shevin | (1996-2005) | |
| Rodolfo Sorondo, Jr. | (1997-2002) | |
| Gerald B. Cope, Jr. | (1988-2010) | |
| David M. Gersten | (1989-2011) | |
The Florida Third District Court of Appeal Nominating Commission
- Marcos D. Jimenez, Chair (2011)
- Jeffrey S. Bass (2014)
- Hector J. Lombana (2014)
- Peter Prieto (2014)
- Matias R. Dorta (2011)
- Timothy J. Koenig (2011)
- Nilda Pedrosa (2012)
- Lauri Waldman Ross (2012)
- Lilly Ann Sanchez (2012)
Notable Cases
- In re: Gill (2010) (Cope, J.) Text of the Court of Appeal decision:[1] This ruling struck down the Florida’s statutory ban on gay and lesbian people adopting children in the state.
- Engle v. Liggett Group (2003) (Gersten, J.) Text of the Court of Appeal decision: This ruling was overturned in 2006 by the Florida Supreme Court which ordered decertification of a class action lawsuit against big tobacco companies that effectively reversed the largest punitive damage jury award, $145 billion, in U.S. history.
See also
- Florida District Courts of Appeal (for history and general overview)
- Florida First District Court of Appeal
- Florida Second District Court of Appeal
- Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal
- Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
External links
- Website of the Florida District Courts of Appeal
- Florida Third District Court of Appeal Website
- The Florida Third District Court of Appeal Nominating Commission
- Inside the Third District Court of Appeal