Chief Justice: First among equals

06/27/18 • 23 min

What does it take to run Florida's judicial branch? Justices Jorge Labarga and Charles Canady sit down to discuss the role of the chief justice and what it means to "pass the gavel" from one chief justice to the next.

Justice Labarga's two-term chief justice service ends June 30, 2018. Justice Canady begins his second term as head of the Supreme Court and the state judiciary July 1, 2018. Justice Canady previously served as chief justice from 2010 to 2012.

Recorded on June 6, 2018.

Transcript (pdf)

Recorded on June 6, 2018.

Transcript (pdf)

Previous Episode

The Suite Life: A behind-the-scenes perspective

Why do justices need attorneys? A. Mireille Fall-Fry and Michelle Ballard, both staff attorneys who have worked for the court for 12 and 19 years respectively, answer this question. Their unique perspectives provide insight into the daily life and work of a staff attorney at the supreme court. They serve as a resource for justices to facilitate impartial, well-reasoned decisions.

Links: Transcript / Internal Operating Procedures / The Operation and Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Florida (2005)

Next Episode

Justice Pariente: Saying Goodbye is Never Easy

On Justice Barbara Pariente's last day at the Florida Supreme Court (January 7, 2019), she sat down to reminisce about her 21 years (1997-2019) on the state's highest court. She became a national symbol in 2003 when she continued work as a Justice through breast cancer treatment, even hearing cases on live television without wearing a wig. Listen as she reflects on this event and others and life at 500 South Duval Street.

Recorded: January 7, 2019

Transcript (pdf)