Fourth Circuit Court Judge Steven Fahlgren received the 2025 Jurist of the Year award presented by the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
“I will treasure this award for the rest of my life. I am grateful to my judicial colleagues who set the example, the incredible lawyers of ABOTA and my judicial assistant, Ashley Strickland. I am especially thankful for my spouse, Dr. Kimberly Fahlgren, and our children for all their support over the years,” Fahlgren said.
“Last, but not least, I thank God for having His hand on me. There is a lot of spiritual warfare that one must face when trying to do the right thing in difficult cases, especially in domestic violence and family law.”
Fahlgren lives and works in Nassau County.
Born in the Midwest, his family moved to Florida in 1984.
After receiving an associate degree in computer science, he served on active duty with the U.S. Army, including service in the 82nd Airborne Division and later as a counterintelligence agent in South Korea.
Fahlgren graduated from the University of Florida in 1991 and from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1994.
He was the town attorney for the Town of Hilliard 2007-13 and had a private law practice.
In 2014, Fahlgren was the president of the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid board of directors. He chairs the 4th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee.
In 2015, Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the circuit court and he has been re-elected without opposition since.
This year’s recognition is not the first for Fahlgren.
In 2017, the Jacksonville chapter of ABOTA presented him with the Civility Award for the 4th Judicial Circuit comprised of Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. It was the first time the award was given to a judge.
Founded in 1958, ABOTA advocates for the right to trial by jury, for civility and professionalism, for judicial independence and for the idea that the American justice system works best when there is mutual respect between the bench and the Bar.
Membership is by invitation only. Half of the members are plaintiffs’ attorneys and half are defense attorneys.