In Florida, we are fortunate to have a history of legal greatness. Each year, we recognize worthy individuals with the Medal of Honor Award, FFLA’s highest award for a member of the legal profession. The Medal of Honor may also be awarded to a member of the public or a lawyer not actively engaged in the practice of law who has made outstanding achievements in improving the administration of justice in Florida.
The Medal of Honor awards program was established in 1977 to recognize those outstanding achievements. The FFLA Medal of Honor Award has two award categories. The first is for a member of The Florida Bar who has demonstrated his or her dedication to the objectives of The Florida Bar as set out in the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar: “…to inculcate in its members the principles of duty and service to the public, to improve the administration of justice, and to advance the science of jurisprudence.”
The second is for a non-lawyer or person not actively engaged in the practice of law who has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement in the administration of justice through research, writing, or other deeds of such character and quality that, in the judgment of FFLA, warrant the highest award that can be bestowed by FFLA.
Previous recipients have included W. Dexter Douglass in 2006, for a lifetime of selfless service, especially for his service as chair of Florida’s Constitutional Revision Commission, and Janet R. McAliley, for her selfless dedication to better lives for children and immigrants through her service to the Dade County School Board and as president of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.
Award recipients are honored each year at our Annual Award Ceremony during The Florida Bar Annual Convention.
Medal of Honor Award Recipients
Medal of Honor Awards for a Non-Lawyer
The FFLA Medal of Honor Award for a non-lawyer is presented to a person not actively engaged in the practice of law who has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement in the administration of justice through research, writing, or other deeds of such character and quality that, in the judgment of the FFLA, warrant the highest award that can be bestowed by FFLA.
Medal of Honor Award for a Lawyer
The FFLA Medal of Honor Award for a lawyer is presented each year to a member of The Florida Bar who has demonstrated his or her dedication to the objectives of The Florida Bar as set out in the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar: “…to inculcate in its members the principles of duty and service to the public, to improve the administration of justice, and to advance the science of jurisprudence.” The Medal of Honor Award is the highest award that can be bestowed by FFLA.
| Year | Award Type | Recipient | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lawyer | Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince | For her decades-long legal and judicial career spent in service of the public, her extensive volunteer work on behalf of those less fortunate and her dedication to ensuring the halls of justice are open to all. |
| 2024 | Non-Lawyer | Dr. Lawrence W. "Larry" Tyree | For his leadership in and stewarding of others through the higher education system to promote equal justice and his devotion to serving The Florida Bar as a volunteer. |
| 2023 | Lawyer | David B. Rothman | For his dedication, commitment, and tireless volunteer work on behalf of numerous Bar and legal organizations, and his steadfast integrity while representing those facing criminal charges, as well as lawyers facing disciplinary action. |
| 2022 | Lawyer | John Patterson | For his career-long dedication to increasing local and statewide access to justice for all, his altruistic pro bono efforts, his service in leadership, and his devotion to educating others on the importance of equal access to justice. |
| 2021 | Lawyer | Hon. Emiliano Jose "E.J." Salcines Jr. | For his trailblazing, diverse career of more than 50 years, and his dedication to the administration of justice, public service, and education. |
| 2020 | Lawyer | Hon. Peter T. Fay | Judge Fay and Judge King are being honored as co-recipients for their extreme professionalism, dedication to the judiciary, nonstop work ethic, and devotion to justice during a combined 100 years of judicial service. |
| 2020 | Lawyer | Hon. James Lawrence King | Judge Fay and Judge King are being honored as co-recipients for their extreme professionalism, dedication to the judiciary, nonstop work ethic, and devotion to justice during a combined 100 years of judicial service. |
| 2020 | Non-Lawyer | Dr. Mimi Graham | For her dedicated efforts over the course of her career researching and promoting trauma-informed court programs that tackle policy solutions to social problems during the critical period from pregnancy to age three. |
| 2019 | Lawyer | Michael A. Bedke | For his exceptional dedication to providing pro bono service, his remarkable advocacy for AIDS patients and domestic violence survivors, his invaluable support developing the No Place Like Home Project and his commitment to improving the lives of veterans, disaster survivors and law students. |
| 2019 | Lawyer | Richard C. Milstein | For his exemplary and unending capacity for pro bono work as a volunteer guardian ad litem for more than 35 years, his leadership and advocacy for marriage equality and civil rights, and his efforts to enact legislation to protect minors in the dependency system. |
| 2018 | Lawyer | Howard Talenfeld | For his 40 years of extraordinary service and devotion to Floridians through his pioneering leadership as founder of Florida’s Children First, his indefatigable work to protect the legal rights of children and adults with disabilities, and his zealous advocacy that led to an improved child welfare system. |
| 2018 | Non-Lawyer | Dr. Louis B. St. Petery | For his lifetime commitment to improving medical care for children in Florida as a pediatric cardiologist and a phenomenally effective advocate for reform of the state’s Medicaid system, which has led to successful litigation and an immense impact on the care provided to poor children. |
| 2017 | Lawyer | John F. "Jack" Harkness Jr. | For his 37 years of groundbreaking leadership of one of the largest and most successful state Bar's in the nation, his wise counsel to 37 Florida Bar presidents, and his unflagging support of The Florida Bar Foundation and the cause of access to justice. |
| 2017 | Non-Lawyer | Jane Elizabeth Curran | For her 33 years of visionary leadership of The Florida Bar Foundation as its founding executive director, her immeasurable contributions to the national IOLTA movement, and her tireless advocacy promoting access to justice statewide and nationally. |
| 2016 | Lawyer | Kathleen Schin McLeroy | For her innovative ideas to increase IOTA revenue, her successful efforts to preserve county funding for legal aid, her leadership of organizations supporting pro bono at the national, state and local level, as well as more than 20 years of direct services to pro bono clients. |
| 2016 | Non-Lawyer | Kevin Gay | For his work as CEO and founder of Operation New Hope to help rebuild Jacksonville's challenged urban communities and give ex-offenders the opportunity to successfully transition home and lead productive lives. |
| 2015 | Lawyer | William A. Van Nortwick Jr. | For his decades in leadership of virtually every statewide organization and committee involving pro bono and legal services in Florida, for leading the One Campaign to promote pro bono work throughout the state, and for serving as a role model for other judges and lawyers, inspiring greater volunteer participation through his example. |
| 2014 | Lawyer | Bob Butterworth | For his effective enforcement of victim and consumer protection, environmental, civil rights and anti-trust laws as Florida's longest-serving Attorney General, his noteworthy accomplishments in expanding open government in Florida, and his willingness and capacity to assume difficult jobs when it was crucial to the public good to do so. |
| 2013 | Lawyer | Robert C. Josefsberg | For his half century of counsel to governors, judges and clients ranging from a rock star to the poorest of the poor; his dedicated pro bono service to individual clients, as well as legal services and other charitable and community organizations; and his longstanding advocacy for civility in the legal profession. |
| 2012 | Lawyer | Henry M. Coxe III | For his pro bono work, fundraising for legal aid, and leadership of the organized Bar. |
| 2011 | Lawyer | Bruce B. Blackwell | For his professional leadership, both by example and through service to the organized Bar; for his work to secure funding for legal aid locally, statewide and nationally; and for his extensive history of handling the most difficult pro bono cases, often going well beyond providing legal help to become a transformative force in his clients' lives. |
| 2011 | Non-Lawyer | Kathleen "Katie" Self | For her pioneering work in the implementation of Teen Courts across Florida; the volunteering of her services in establishing the Teen Court of Sarasota, the state's first; and for her leadership in expanding the program to 50 Florida counties that together divert more than 22,000 at-risk children into Teen Courts every year. |
| 2010 | Lawyer | Joseph P. Milton | For his leadership in promoting professionalism and ethics to his fellow attorneys through his extensive service to the bar and by setting the highest example in his own law practice. |
| 2009 | Lawyer | Sylvia H. Walbolt | For her 45 years of providing free legal services to clients ranging from Guantanamo detainees to a St. Petersburg organization that feeds the hungry. |
| 2008 | Lawyer | Terrence Russell | For his exceptional lifelong compassion and undaunting efforts to secure state funding for legal assistance for the poor through the Florida Access to Civil Legal Assistance Act. |
| 2008 | Non-Lawyer | Elizabeth Lander "Budd" Bell | For over four decades of volunteer advocacy to improve the lives of Florida's children, elderly and disabled persons. |
| 2007 | Lawyer | A. Hamilton Cooke | For his many contributions to providing access to justice for those living in poverty throughout Florida, and his tireless service to HabiJax. |
| 2007 | Non-Lawyer | Dr. Walter F. Lambert | For his life's work as a medical advocate for abused and neglected children, and for his significant volunteer work for South Florida children in foster care. |
| 2006 | Lawyer | W. Dexter Douglass | For a lifetime of service and sacrifice, particularly as chair of the Constitutional Revision Commission in 1998. |
| 2006 | Non-Lawyer | Janet McAliley | For selfless dedication to the better lives of children and immigrants, through her service to the Dade County School Board, and as president of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. |
| 2005 | Lawyer | J. Dudley Goodlette | For spearheading the passage of the Florida Civil Legal Assistance Act. |
| 2005 | Non-Lawyer | Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D. | For turning the dreams of countless people into realities through his intellect, commitment, drive and spirit. |
| 2004 | Lawyer | William J. Sheppard | For a long and distinguished legal career working on behalf of the underprivileged and oppressed, ensuring that "equal justice for all" is not a hollow phrase. |
| 2004 | Non-Lawyer | Rosalie Heffernan | For giving meaning and substance to the U.S. Constitution by starting an after-school elective called "Constitutional Studies." |
| 2003 | Lawyer | Robert M. Ervin | For his unselfish, dedicated career of service to the public and the legal profession. |
| 2003 | Non-Lawyer | Lois Thacker Graessle | For a lifetime of selfless volunteer service in the pursuit of justice. |
| 2002 | Lawyer | Martha W. Barnett | For her outstanding service as immediate past president of the American Bar Association and her commitment to the principles of duty and service to the public. |
| 2002 | Non-Lawyer | Raul G. Barrera | For improving the administration of justice by bringing truth to the ideal of equal justice under the law for migrant farmworkers. |
| 2001 | Lawyer | Patrick G. Emmanuel | For his distinguished record of active participation and lifelong dedication to the objectives of The Florida Bar. |
| 2001 | Non-Lawyer | John B. Orr Jr. | For his courageous stand against a 1956 package of bills filed in the Florida legislature whose purpose was to perpetuate school segregation. |
| 2000 | Lawyer | Joseph W. Hatchett | For his distinguished 22-year career of judicial service dedicated to upholding the civil rights of the oppressed, the vulnerable, and the unpopular. |
| 1999 | Lawyer | Samuel S. Smith | For his unswerving dedication to the legal profession, and for his leadership in establishing the Guardianship Program of Dade County. |
| 1999 | Non-Lawyer | Gene Miller | For his integrity as an investigative reporter in the coverage of the murder trials of two wrongfully convicted death row inmates. |
| 1998 | Lawyer | Burton Young | For his distinguished selfless service in working toward the betterment of The Florida Bar and the legal profession. |
| 1998 | Non-Lawyer | Reverend Fred L. Maxwell | For his leadership in Orlando to provide housing for for the homeless. |
| 1997 | Lawyer | Justice Richard W. Ervin | For his achievement and service to the public by improving the institutions of government and the administration of justice in Florida. |
| 1996 | Lawyer | William O.E. Henry | For his dedicated leadership to the community, public service in the legal profession, and outstanding efforts in representation of death row inmates. |
| 1996 | Non-Lawyer | Jean F. Norman | For her efforts and contributions in organizing "Law School for the Layman" and "Helping Children Cope with Divorce" programs for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. |
| 1995 | Lawyer | Steven M. Goldstein | For devotion of time and energy to providing legal services to the poor, for his voluntary services to the Bar, and for serving as a role model to his colleagues and students at the university law school. |
| 1994 | Lawyer | Thomas H. Barkdull, Jr. | For his distinguished career as a practicing lawyer and appellate judge. |
| 1994 | Non-Lawyer | Major John Smith | For his leadership, dedication and pioneering efforts in establishing the "GUTS" program for at-risk African-American males. |
| 1993 | Lawyer | Raymond Ehrlich | For his commitment to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. |
| 1993 | Non-Lawyer | Elaine Webb-Alvarez | For her outstanding efforts and leadership as a child advocate in the State of Florida. |
| 1992 | Lawyer | James C. Adkins | For his contributions to the law and legal profession as a member of the Supreme Court of Florida. |
| 1992 | Non-Lawyer | Abraham R. Brown | For his tireless efforts to address the spiritual needs of those confined to penal institutions. |
| 1991 | Lawyer | Thomas LeRoy Collins | For his dedication to change in Florida's legislature, civil rights and constitutional reform. |
| 1991 | Non-Lawyer | Mary Ellen Beaver | For her tireless advocacy for legal rights on behalf of migrant farmworkers. |
| 1990 | Lawyer | Janet Reno | For her dedication to the highest ideals of our institutions of justice, children and the poor. |
| 1990 | Non-Lawyer | Audrey Lincourt Schiebler | For her pioneering achievements in improving the administration of justice to abused and neglected children. |
| 1989 | Lawyer | Neal R. Sonnett | For his commitment and leadership in improving the criminal justice system and in protection of individual rights. |
| 1989 | Non-Lawyer | Marshall McDonald | For his work in improving the State Judicial System by bringing judicial reform and improved judicial compensation standards to Florida. |
| 1988 | Lawyer | James C. Rinaman Jr. | For his work in furthering the public service activities of the organized Bar. |
| 1988 | Non-Lawyer | Sister Cathy Gorman | For her work to provide access to legal services, housing, health care, education and fair employment standards to migrant farmworkers. |
| 1987 | Lawyer | Talbot D'Alemberte | For significant achievements in judicial and legislative reform, civil liberties, legal education, advancement of the legal profession and the work of the organized bar. |
| 1987 | Non-Lawyer | Rev. A. Leon Lowry, Sr. | For community leadership in promoting civil rights through constructive change. |
| 1986 | Lawyer | Russell E. Carlisle | For his dedication to the advancement of pro bono service by the legal profession and for his work in carrying IOTA across the nation. |
| 1985 | Lawyer | Mark Hulsey | For his leadership as a member of Florida's judicial qualifications commission and his dedication to the principles of The Florida Bar. |
| 1985 | Non-Lawyer | Sylvia Alberdi | For her dedication to the ideals of good government in service to the people of Florida as staff director of the Florida Senate's Civil Judiciary Committee. |
| 1984 | Lawyer | Ben F. Overton | For leadership of the bench and bar, support for continuing judicial education and service to the public. |
| 1984 | Non-Lawyer | Martin A. Dyckman | For his leadership in establishing and maintaining open government in Florida and excellence and accountability in our elected and appointed officials and for support for reform of the state's prison system. |
| 1983 | Lawyer | Arthur J. England Jr. | For his leadership in establishing the interest on trust accounts in Florida and nationally. |
| 1982 | Non-Lawyer | Lucy Batchelor | For her work as director of the Human Relations Programs at state correctional facilities. |
| 1981 | Lawyer | Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. | For his long years of service to the Bar in establishing the first judicial nominating commission and for service on behalf of legal services to the poor. |
| 1981 | Non-Lawyer | William C. Clark | For his work as a lay member of Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission. |
| 1980 | Lawyer | Chesterfield H. Smith | For his years of dedicated service to the bench and bar. |
| 1979 | Lawyer | Reubin O'D. Askew | For his leadership in establishing judicial nominating commissions, and for the re-organization of the judicial system. |
| 1978 | Lawyer | Tobias Simon | For his protection of the rights of the oppressed and the poor and for his advocacy for improved prison conditions in Florida. |
| 1978 | Non-Lawyer | Robert A. Rosof | For his pioneering work with juvenile offenders at the Dade Marine Institute. |
| 1977 | Lawyer | Richard T. Earle, Jr. | For his outstanding leadership of Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission. |
