March 2024 Half Court Press
The Investiture of Justice Meredith L. Sasso
Justice Meredith L. Sasso
The formal investiture ceremony for Justice Meredith L. Sasso, Florida’s 93rd justice, took place on Friday, January 19, 2024. Investitures include the presentation of a new justice’s credentials to the Court and the new justice taking the oath of office, but they are also an opportunity to celebrate a major accomplishment and to thank all of those who helped make it possible.
After welcoming the many family members, friends, colleagues, and state officials in attendance, Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz detailed the history of the seat that Justice Sasso now holds. It is the seat that became available when Justice Ricky Polston resigned from the Court in 2023 after 15 years of service.
Chief Justice Muñiz thanked former Justice Polston for his service to the Court and to the people of Florida, but he had some possibly distressing news for him. He noted that Justice Sasso will be the first graduate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law to hold that seat on the Court, which might be a bit heartbreaking to former Justice Polston, who graduated from Florida State University College of Law and is a dedicated supporter of the university.
Governor Ron DeSantis was unable to attend the investiture in person, but he provided a video message congratulating Justice Sasso and officially welcoming her to the Florida Supreme Court. Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez was in attendance, and she presented Justice Sasso’s credentials to the Court. Justice Sasso’s extensive legal experience is outlined in the Fall 2023 issue of the Full Court Press.
After several friends and colleagues of Justice Sasso shared comments, Fifth District Court of Appeal Judge Eric J. Eisnaugle was recognized to administer the oath of office. With her husband, Michael, holding a family Bible, Justice Sasso took the oath. Michael then helped her put on her robe before she took her seat at the bench of the Supreme Court of Florida.
When the applause quieted, Justice Sasso said, “I would like the people of Florida to know that I will both always honor the oath that I just took and always be aware that I am ultimately accountable to them.”
Justice Sasso thanked her friends, family, and husband, for all of their love, guidance, and support. She thanked Governor DeSantis for her appointment and also thanked former Governor Rick Scott for both hiring her into the Executive Office of the Governor and then appointing her to her first judgeship. She also expressed her gratitude to her colleagues on the Fifth and Sixth District Courts of Appeal, as well as her dedicated law clerks. To her new colleagues on the Florida Supreme Court, she said, “I am more thankful than ever that you all have chosen to serve the state.”
Chief Justice Muñiz said, “Justice Sasso, I just want to say on behalf of all of our colleagues on the Court, we’re very blessed to have you. We know that you’re going to do great things, and we’re very excited for your service.”
Welcome to the Half Court Press
Sometimes we just cannot wait to bring you a story or share an event, so we are introducing the Half Court Press.
The Half Court Press will feature important news and events that happen between releases of the Full Court Press newsletter.
We hope these timely stories will help readers stay up to date on the latest events and happenings that take place throughout the Florida State Courts System.
If you have a topic or event that would be appropriate for an issue of the Half Court Press, please email oscapio@flcourts.gov.
Judicial Campaign Conduct Forums Set for May 2 & 3
Attending a Judicial Campaign Conduct Forum is an important part of the election process for anyone seeking judicial office. The Supreme Court of Florida and The Florida Bar Board of Governors, in concert with the state’s trial court chief judges and the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, will present this year’s forums on Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, 2024.
Presenters will emphasize the nonpartisan character of judicial elections and detail critical information regarding the unique requirements that Canon 7 of the Code of Judicial Conduct places on judicial candidates and their campaigns. Presenters will also stress the seriousness with which the Florida Supreme Court views any abuse of the election process and the consequent impact of campaign misconduct on public trust and confidence in the judicial branch.
All incumbent and non-incumbent candidates facing opposition in elections for judicial office are expected to participate in one of the forums, which will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, and online via Zoom.
Detailed information about the forums is available on the Florida Supreme Court website.
Register Now for April 5 Professionalism Conference
Mark your calendars for April 5, 2024, to attend the 2024 Professionalism Conference in Ocala. The theme for this year’s conference is “First Principles of Professionalism.” The conference is designed to help legal professionals navigate professionalism issues and understand the emerging issues related to the use of artificial intelligence in the legal profession.
Conference faculty will include a former justice of the Florida Supreme Court, judges from the Fourth District Court of Appeal and the Fifth and Eleventh Judicial Circuits, and The Florida Bar president.
For additional information and registration details, please visit the Fifth Judicial Circuit website.
