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The Florida Bar
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Standing Committees
Constitutional Judiciary Committee


The charge of the Constitutional Judiciary Committee is to consider various methods of strengthening Florida’s judiciary and maintaining its independence, including but not limited to, possible changes in state constitutional or statutory law. Among specific issues of likely consideration the committee will explore potential changes in the composition and appointment of our state’s judicial nominating commissions, money raising options to endorse candidates supporting judicial independence, as well as other reforms.

Benchmarks: Attorneys Teaching Civics Education Seminar June 28 PDF document opens in new window
The Constitutional Judiciary Committee is hosting a seminar to teach attorneys how to present civics education activities when they speak at community clubs and groups on Friday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Boca Raton Resort & Club during The Florida Bar's Annual Convention. The seminar will give an overview of the Benchmarks program. Of note: Benchmarks presenters can earn one ethics credit hour for each presentation for up to three presentations in a three-year reporting period.

The need for civics education for adults is clear. A 2012 study by Xavier University's Center for the Study of the American Dream found that when respondents were asked questions about the U.S. government:

  • 85 percent did not know the meaning of the "the rule of law."
  • 82 percent could not name "two rights stated in the Declaration of Independence."
  • 75 percent were not able to correctly answer "What does the judiciary branch do?"

Benchmarks offers a method for attorneys to talk about the structure and function of government in an engaging format with the goal of increasing the public’s knowledge of and support for the courts. Each activity comes with materials that can be downloaded from The Florida Bar website. Registration is available online.

Benchmarks activities available online
The Constitutional Judiciary Committee's Benchmarks activities are available for download on line:
  • Amending the Florida Constitution and the role of the courts.
  • Judging candidates for judicial office.
  • Understanding what makes a law "constitutional."
  • Getting beyond labels in discussing courts and controversial cases.
  • Interpreting what laws mean.
  • Testing your knowledge of what's in the U.S. and Florida constitutions.
    Staff Contact    Susannah Lyle
     OfficeCityTerm
    Merrick Lawrence Gross Chair Miami  2013
    Michael Joseph Napoleone Vice Chair West Palm Beach  2014
    Jay Cohen Board Liaison Ft Lauderdale  2013
    Daniel Cramer Brown Tallahassee  2014
    Edward John Carbone Tampa  2014
    Gloria Ann Carr Orlando  2013
    Christi Daisey-Snyder Jacksonville  2014
    Steven Wayne Davis Miami  2013
    James McClung DuRant, Jr. Tallahassee  2013
    Sacha Dyson Tampa  2014
    Julie Feigeles Coral Gables  2014
    Alan Orantes Forst West Palm Beach  2014
    Donald A. Harrison Riverview  2013
    John Mark Howe West Palm Beach  2013
    Edward Camille LaRose Tampa  2013
    Jessica Callow Mason West Palm Beach  2013
    Jon M Philipson Orlando  2014
    Anthony M Salzano New Port Richey  2013
    Deborah Michelle Sisco Tampa  2014
    Lilliana Torreh-Bayouth Miami  2013
    Mark R Wolfe Tampa  2014
    David Haris Young Miami  2013


    Constitutional Judiciary Committee Web page

    [Revised: 06-27-2012]