Staff Writer
His career on the bench began in February shortly after Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him, but a new judge was able to take a breath Wednesday and realize the step his legal career had taken.
“We are in ceremonial session, so everyone can relax and enjoy themselves,” said Chief Judge Donald Moran. “A lot of times court isn’t as much fun as we are going to have here today.”
Though Beverly was sworn in prior to taking the bench in the Juvenile Division of the Fourth Judicial District in February, Wednesday’s ceremony gave his family and friends a chance to share the experience with him.
“When I think of Tom, the word that comes to my mind is versatility,” said John DeVault, former Florida Bar president and managing partner at the Bedell Firm. “Tom started with the State Attorney’s Office, worked in a plaintiff’s personal injury practice, became a partner of ours in a commercial litigation firm, went to the General Counsel’s Office and, in between, left time to become president of The Jacksonville Bar Association.”
As well as joining the bench, Beverly joins a group of past JBA presidents that have become judges, Judges Karen Cole and Waddell Wallace being the others.
Beverly’s mother, Virginia, performed the swearing in at the ceremony and was given an opportunity to give him some advice and direction from her decades of experience on the bench.
“They gave me the opportunity to give you some advice on the career you have begun,” said Virginia Beverly, with a smile. “But I’m not going to. You know what you have to do.”
After being sworn in, Beverly’s family helped him put on his robe and he was welcomed up to the bench to sit beside fellow Juvenile Division Judge Henry Davis and say a few words.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be sitting here,” said Beverly. “I am humbled and honored.”
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