Shillinger honored with Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award
Robert “Bob” Shillinger, Jr., and Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr.
Robert “Bob” Shillinger, Jr., the Monroe County Attorney, is the recipient of the 2025 Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award.
The award recognizes Florida lawyers who have made exemplary contributions as practicing government lawyers. It is named after Claude Pepper, a Florida attorney, U.S. senator, and congressman, who was an advocate on behalf of the people, and who represented the highest ideals of government service through nine presidential administrations.
The award was presented to Shillinger by outgoing Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton on behalf of the Government Lawyer Section.
Sanchez-Medina said Shillinger has guided Monroe County through challenging planning and land use issues — due to Monroe's unique position as a major destination for tourism, its status as an area of critical state concern, and fragile ecology in need of protection.
He managed an office that spanned the county at several office locations and has amassed a staff of lawyers distinguished by their quality. He has also been dedicated to the professional and personal growth of those lawyers.
He is active in the county attorney association, helping to organize CLEs of the highest quality, and inaugurated an outreach program to encourage law students to consider local government practice. He has visited campuses personally to recruit students to this important program.
His nominator said, “He is a steady voice in the cacophony known as local government. His ability to communicate distinguishes him among his peers.”
"Thank you, Bob, for your continued dedication to your community, the profession, and to government lawyers," Sanchez-Medina said.
