Judge Profile

R. Fred Lewis

Judicial Experience:

  • Chief Justice, Florida Supreme Court (December 07, 1998)

Other Professional Experience:

  • Emeritus Member, Tallahassee American Inn of Court, 1999

Biographical Data:

  • While serving as Chief Justice, he founded Justice Teaching, an organization that now has over 3,900 volunteer lawyers and Judges placed with and active in Florida public schools, which enhances civic and law-related education through the active programs in all levels of Florida schools. As Chief Justice, he also convened the first commission and statewide all branch mental health summit which developed and proposed a unified and comprehensive plan to address the increasing needs with the intersection of mental illness and the justice system. He also attempted to provide greater public access to justice for the disabled by mandating a survey and audit of all court facilities in Florida through a task force of professionals to identify and remove obstacles to facility access. While Chief Justice, Justice Lewis also instituted for the first time in Florida, a uniform high-level diversity training program for all Florida judges. Having a background in civil litigation and recognizing the need for better jury instructions in complex cases, he created and appointed the first Standard Jury Instruction Committee for Contract and Business Cases, a group that continues to move forward to finalize comprehensive jury instructions for these complex cases. Justice Lewis served as liaison to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners for 10 years where he led the effort to require higher academic and character standards for applicants to the Florida Bar. He also led the effort to restructure the background fitness analysis process for Chapter 11¿Certified Legal Interns. Born in Beckley, West Virginia, in 1947, Justice Lewis attended Woodrow Wilson High School, where he was actively involved in both athletic and academic pursuits, serving as president of the student body, receiving All State and All American recognition for athletic achievement, and receiving the Pete George Memorial Award as the outstanding scholar athlete. Justice Lewis came to Florida in 1965 to attend Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where he excelled in athletics and academics. He was elected president of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, and received the highest honor in 1969 by being selected as the Honor Walk Student, which is awarded annually for the outstanding senior student for scholastic and service achievements. He graduated from college cum laude in 1969 and was awarded the NCAA Post-Graduate Grant as one of the top fifteen scholar athletes in the United States. He also received the Besser Lindsey Award as one of the top ten male university students in the United States, awarded by Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Among his other achievements were the Williams Memorial Outstanding Athlete Award and inclusion in the Outstanding Athletes in America, National Student Register, Order of Omega, Omicron Delta Kappa, Psi Chi, Political Union, and the Greek Hall of Fame. Lewis also served on the Appellate Moot Court Teams. He was selected for the Iron Arrow, the highest honor society, and was awarded membership in Bar and Gavel, and Order of Barristers. He graduated as its top student, receiving the Order of World Wars Superior Achievement Honor. Upon discharge from the military, Lewis entered private practice in Miami, specializing in civil trial and appellate litigation. Selected as Florida's Citizen of the Year in 2001 by the Florida Council, While in private practice, he was heavily involved in providing counseling to families with children having impairments and provided pro bono legal services and counseling for cancer patients seeking proper treatment for multiple conditions. In 2001 he also received the "Everyday Hero" award for his outstanding contributions to community service in Florida. He has served The Florida Bar in the capacity of Inventory Attorney, spending many hours auditing and reviewing files for the protection of clients. He has authored materials published by The Florida Bar's Continuing Legal Education Program and has participated in numerous cases selected for annotation in The American Law Report. Justice Lewis received the distinguished Friends of Justice award from the American Board of Trial Advocates for his dedication and service to the citizens of Florida. In 2001, Justice Lewis also received the Public Trust and Confidence Award from the Florida Law Related Education Association. He previously served on Florida¿s Commission on the Legal Needs of Children and is active in the Justice Teaching Institute, a program designed to enhance public education. In 2002, the University of Central Florida honored Justice Lewis by creating the Justice R. Fred Lewis Award, which will be awarded annually to the individual who has demonstrated the highest level of social responsibility. Justice Lewis received the inaugural award for his service to the youth of Florida. He also received the 2005 Great American, Law in Education Award, the 2006 Guardian of The Constitution Award, and the 2006 Education for Democracy Award. In 2007, Justice Lewis was named Florida Jurist of the Year by the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates and selected for Florida's Children's Cabinet. He also received the ABA 2007 Pursuit of Justice Award, and the Outstanding Citizen Award for 2007 from the Florida Council for Social Studies. In 2008, he received the Judge Mario Goderich Award from Cuban American Bar Association, which recognized his work for diversity. He also received a Resolution by the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology for his work to provide access for persons with disabilities. Justice Lewis received the Gracias Award 2008 from the Broward County Hispanic Bar on June7, 2008. The Award reads ¿For achieving monumental Heights in Public Services and Promoting Diversity. In June of 2008 Justice Lewis received the prestigious William M. Hoeveler Judicial Award representing the highest level of professionalism in the Florida judicial system. He was selected as the recipient of the Joe Oldmixon Service Award for Outstanding Service to People with Disabilities 2007-2008 (presented by the Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center). In 2009 he received the We the People Constitution Education Award from the Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc. As a member of the Florida Supreme Court, Justice Lewis currently serves as liaison to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and the Judicial Management Council. He has served on the Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Committee on Standard Civil Jury Instructions, and the Code and Rules of Evidence Committee. He is involved in a program of actively teaching and working in schools throughout Florida to promote a better understanding of government institutions and providing open access to judicial officers. He also has been the recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions to We the People, the Citizens and the Constitution; a Florida State University College of Law Award for Contributions to the Summer Law Program; a Guardian of the Constitution Citizenship Award for Law-Related Education in Brevard County; a Dade County Bar Association, Young Lawyer's Section Dedication to Children Award; and an Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Study of Law, Legal and Public Affairs, by Miami Senior High School. He also received the 2005-2006 Easter Seals Judge Wilke Ferguson Award for Protector of the Disabled. In 2007 Justice Lewis received the Equal Opportunities in the Judiciary Award, the Constitutional Education Award, the Education for Justice Award, and the Justice Thurgood Marshall Award. Justice Lewis and his wife Judith attended Florida Southern College together and were married in 1969. They have two children, Elle and Lindsay.

Education:

  • Doctor of Law, St. Thomas University, 2002
  • Doctor of Public Service, Florida Southern College, 2000
  • J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1972
  • Graduate, 1969
  • United States Army A.G. School

Admission to the Bar:

  • Florida State Bar

Professional Civic Activities/Honors/Awards:

  • Chair, Florida Professionalism Commission
  • Member, University of Miami Law Review
  • Officer, Student Bar Association
  • Justice, Law School Honor Council
  • Commander of the Corps of cadets, University of Miami ROTC program
  • Member of the Board of Directors, Miami Children's Hospital
  • Volunteer, Florida Law Related Education program

Staff:

  • Gail Posey, Judicial Assistant