Retired for just under three months, Circuit Court Judge Haldane Taylor was back in court Thursday, but not with a typical audience.
The longtime judge was surrounded by family, friends and colleagues within the legal community for an official retirement ceremony that featured professional and personal tales.
“Hal is the brother that everybody would want, the son, the father, the husband and the grandfather that we’ve all come to admire. You set the bar extremely high for us as a person and as a great judge,” said Circuit Judge David Wiggins.
“Enjoy the journey, good and faithful friend … your former colleagues join me in saying job well done and enjoy every day of retirement,” he said.
Taylor recalled stories and thanked those who helped mold him into the person he is.
Taylor said he has been blessed throughout the years from supporters that included governors, lawyers and his colleagues on the bench.
“I am certainly blessed to be here and having the opportunity to serve the state of Florida, the citizens of this circuit for 25 years,” Taylor said. “I never imagined that I would be so fortunate.”
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