The Florida Supreme Court Historical Society will host its oral history program May 30 in Orlando, honoring Leander J. Shaw Jr., the former chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court who retired earlier this year.
Shaw was the second African-American to sit on Florida’s highest court when appointed by Gov. Bob Graham in 1983. He served as chief justice from 1990-92.
The Florida Supreme Court will convene in a ceremonial session at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers at the Orlando City Hall to honor Shaw. Judges, attorneys and Florida A&M (where Shaw served as an assistant professor from 1957 to 1960) leaders will chronicle Shaw’s most significant court decisions and contributions to the Florida judiciary.
At 5:30 p.m., the festivities will shift to the Ballroom at Church Street Station, where a reception will be followed by dinner and a roast. Attorney Willie Gary will emcee the evening event.
The Society began its series of oral history programs in 1985 by honoring Claude Pepper, who served in the U.S. House and Senate. The Society is a non-profit organization working to preserve Florida’s judicial heritage and educate the public about the role of legal branch of the government.