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Gov. Rick Scott appoints Alan Lawson to Florida Supreme Court

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Alan Lawson as the 86th Justice to the Florida Supreme Court. Justice Lawson will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice James E.C. Perry. Prior to this appointment, Justice Lawson served as the Chief Judge of Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal. This is Governor Scott’s first appointment to the Florida Supreme Court and is effective December 31st, 2016.

Governor Scott said, “I am incredibly honored today to appoint Alan Lawson as the 86th Justice to the Florida Supreme Court. Justice Lawson has devoted the past 20 years of his life to serving the State of Florida and I am confident he will serve the Florida Supreme Court with the utmost honor, integrity and humility. Throughout his career, Justice Lawson has focused on defending the constitution, strictly adhering to the rule of law and not legislating from the bench.

“Justice Lawson has gained incredible experience on issues ranging from civil law to appellate cases to adult drug court. His breadth of experience and knowledge of our state’s judicial system is an asset that will undoubtedly benefit Florida’s highest court.”

Justice Alan Lawson said, “I am humbled and honored today to be appointed as the 86th Justice to the Florida Supreme Court and would like to thank Governor Scott for his leadership and faith in me to serve on our state’s highest court. I will bring to the bench the respect, integrity, and experience upon which I have built my career. I look forward to working with my fellow associates on the Court to uphold the Constitution of the State of Florida and protect the future of our great state.”

Justice Lawson received a Bachelor of Sciences from Clemson University in 1983 and a Juris Doctor from Florida State University in 1987. After graduating from the Florida State University College of Law, Lawson worked in the private sector before becoming the Assistant County Attorney for the Orange County Attorney’s Office in 1997. In 2002, Lawson was appointed to a circuit judgeship in the Ninth Judicial Circuit by Governor Jeb Bush where he presided until being appointed to a district judgeship in the Fifth District Court of Appeal by Governor Bush in 2005. Lawson has been retained in his position twice by the electorate and in 2015, was elected Chief Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.