James Perry
From Judgepedia
James E.C. Perry was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in early March of 2009 by Republican Governor Charlie Christ after the retirement of Charles Wells. Perry is the fourth black justice to serve on the court, one of two serving currently. He is the fourth justice that Crist has appointed to the Supreme Court. He is subject to a retention election in 2010, when his current term ends.[1]Christ said of the appointment “I have given much thought to appointing Judge Perry to Florida’s highest court. Our seven Supreme Court justices make precedent-setting decisions on important matters. I am confident Judge Perry will rule with restraint, fairness and humility. He has shown, throughout his personal and professional life, the ability to balance justice with humanity.” [2]
Perry will serve on the Supreme Court for five years, until he reaches age 70, the mandatory age of retirement in Florida.
Biography
Perry has been married for 33 years to Adrienne Perry, a former mayor of Longwood, FL. [3] They have three children. [4]He is originally from North Carolina but has lived in Florida for nearly forty years. Perry received his BA from Saint Augustine's College in 1966. He decided to go into law the night that Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, and earned his degree from the Columbia University School of Law in 1972. [2]
Career
Judge Perry was appointed to the 18th Judicial Circuit serving Seminole and Brevard counties by then-Governor Jeb Bush in 2000. In 2003, Perry was unanimously elected by his fellow judges to the position of Chief Judge for the 18th Circuit. [4] Prior to his service on the 18th Circuit, Perry spent 21 years in private practice with various Florida firms. "He served as vice president and general counsel for the Seminole Employment and Economic Development Corporation from 1974 to 1976." [2]
Judicial philosophy
Perry refers to himself as "apolitical" and has refused comment on whether or not he is an "activist" judge. “In my analysis of the law, it seems those who call people activists are those who don’t rule for them," Perry told reporters. "In this field somebody has to lose. We have to make decisions. That is another term that has been over utilized. It’s a political term.” [3]
External links
- Crist names Perry to Fla. Supreme Court Florida AP, March 11, 2009
- Crist Appoints Perry To Florida Supreme Court, Tampa Bay Online, March 11, 2009
- Judge Perry to the Supremes?, South Florida Lawyers, March 11, 2009
References
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