by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
She is a woman who has done so much, but she would rather give praise to others rather than hear people talk about her accomplishments.
The latter is what U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Susan Black experienced at a lunch to celebrate her 30th anniversary of service on the federal bench Friday.
“This is difficult for me. I would rather be talking about the accomplishments of others than hear people talk about me,” said Judge Black. “But this has been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life to see so many judges, people who I’ve worked with and so many lifetime friends, and to share this moment.”
Judges, past and present law clerks, colleagues and friends gathered at the River Club Downtown to celebrate Judge Black’s 30 years of service in the federal court, but her legal career began in November of 1967 when she was admitted to the Florida Bar.
Throughout her career she paid little attention to what women were “allowed” to achieve in the practice of law, eventually becoming the first female County Judge in Duval County, the first female judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit and the first female U.S District Judge in Florida.
Her career has inspired many women attorneys, including her first law clerk, Barbara Johnston.
“The only bad part about today was I had to admit I’ve been practicing for 30 years,” joked Johnston. “I applied fresh out of law school ... It was exciting when I found out I would be clerking for her. It was an honor to just get a federal clerkship, but to clerk for Judge Black was beyond my wildest dreams. She was a role model from the very beginning.”
Johnston was the first to speak at the luncheon and she expressed heartfelt thanks.
“I want to thank Judge Black for changing the world for women lawyers,” said Johnston.
Her work not only touched women throughout the legal community, but the legal community as a whole.
“She came to me and said she wanted to develop an Inn of Court similar to the English Inn of Court,” said John DeVault III. “Not only did she help create the 14th Inn of Court in America, but after that she went on the road throughout Florida to help establish other Inns of Court to promote professionalism and civility.”
Judge Black is a founding member of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court, which was created in 1985.
Attorney Bryan Gowdy, of Mills, Creed & Gowdy, also clerked for Judge Black and he respected how she conducted herself in the courtroom.
“I want to thank you for being a fair, ideal and impartial jurist,” said Gowdy.
Prior to joining the bench in 1973, Judge Black worked as a high school teacher, an attorney for the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers, an assistant state attorney in the Fourth Judicial Circuit and assistant general counsel for the City of Jacksonville.
356-2466