The purpose of this summary provided by the Communications Department of The Florida Bar is to present media coverage that may be of interest to members. Opinions expressed in the articles are attributable solely to the authors. The Florida Bar does not adopt or endorse any opinions expressed below. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
April 16, 2026
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The Florida Bar
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT ELECTS JOHN COURIEL AS NEXT CHIEF JUSTICE
The Florida Bar | Article | April 16, 2026
The Florida Supreme Court unanimously elected John D. Couriel as Florida’s next chief justice. He will begin his two-year term July 1. Justice Couriel was appointed to the court in 2020 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He will succeed Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz, who will remain on the court after completing his second term as chief justice on June 30. Justice Couriel is the 90th justice of the Florida Supreme Court. He will be the state’s 58th chief justice. The seven members of the Florida Supreme Court elect a chief justice to serve a two-year term beginning July 1 in even-numbered years.
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Legal Education
UNDER STATE WARNING, FAMU BOOSTS PHARMACY, LAW LICENSURE EXAM PASSAGE RATES
Florida Phoenix | Article | April 15, 2026
Florida A&M University students posted significantly improved licensure exam passage rates for law and pharmacy last year, programs Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine said two years ago he was “prepared to take away” absent of such improvements. According to this year’s FAMU accountability plan, 90% of FAMU pharmacy students passed the licensure exam on their first attempt in 2025. In 2024, the passage rate was 67%. For law students, the first-time bar exam pass rate was 41% in 2023. It rose to 63% in 2024 and in 2025 marked 73%. Two years ago, Levine said it is a poor use of time and resources when students’ complete programs without being prepared to pass their licensure exams.
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Judiciary
JUDGES: THE UNCOMMON CANDIDATES IN ELECTION SEASON
Osceola News – Gazette | Article | April 16, 2026
Florida is approaching judicial election season, with the qualifying deadline for the Aug. 18 ballot set for Friday, April 24, 2026. Florida judges elected in August fall into two categories: circuit and county judges. Florida Supreme Court retention and appellate court elections will appear on the November 2026 ballot. Circuit judges typically oversee civil cases involving more than $50,000, while county judges handle cases within their jurisdictions, including those in Osceola County. Unlike other elections, judicial candidates in Florida face strict campaign limits. They may advertise but cannot list party affiliation, personally solicit campaign funds, endorse other candidates or say how they would rule on specific cases. Most circuit court candidates and all Osceola County judge candidates are currently running unopposed.
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Legal Profession
ALL 3 FLORIDA-ROOTED AM LAW 100 FIRMS HAD RECORD PERFORMANCES IN 2025
Daily Business Review | Article | April 15, 2026
Greenberg Traurig, Holland & Knight and Akerman, once again the sole three Florida-born firms to land on the Am Law 100, all hit record revenues in 2025, with Greenberg Traurig dominating overall in revenue as it approached a near $3 billion. In the new 2026 Am Law 100 rankings, Greenberg Traurig dropped one place from No. 16 to No. 17, Holland & Knight stayed steady at No. 26 and Akerman dipped to No. 96 from No. 94. Even though none of the firms climbed in the rankings, the three shared gross revenue increases, extensive lateral hiring and office openings that contributed to their success.
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Legal Profession
25 WOMEN FOR '26: AMY THORN FOLLOWS THE DATA FROM LAW TO PHILANTHROPY
Tallahassee Democrat | Article | April 16, 2026
Amy Thorn has been named one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know in 2026. After earning her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2011, Thorn moved to Okaloosa County to work as an assistant state attorney in the First Judicial Circuit. She later worked with the Florida Department of Health as a senior attorney, which led to a role in the department’s Emergency Action Unit. Thorn then worked for the Child Care Food Program and Women, Infants, and Children Program. These roles increased her awareness of community needs in public health, and she eventually returned to FSU to earn a master’s in public health.
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Legal Aid
ROCKIN’ BASH CELEBRATES LEGAL AID LEADERS
Florida Weekly | Article | April 15, 2026
Rockin’ Bash 2, a fundraiser for Legal Aid Service of Collier County, will be held Thursday, April 30, in Naples. Proceeds benefit Legal Aid’s legal services for vulnerable community members, including support for housing, survivors of domestic violence and veterans. The evening will also honor the 2026 Major Award winners, recognizing individuals and firms that have made significant contributions to the cause of justice in Collier County.