The law school will host a luncheon and ceremony at noon on Feb. 26 in the Law Library's Faculty Meeting Room.
A Miami Law alumnus, Justice Lewis was appointed to the Supreme Court of Florida in 1998. As Chief Justice, he founded Justice Teaching, an organization that now has more than 4,000 volunteer lawyers and judges placed with Florida public schools, to enhance civic and law-related education through active programs in all levels of Florida schools. He also convened the first commission and statewide mental health summit, which developed a comprehensive plan to address the needs of individuals with mental illness in the justice system.
Justice Lewis serves as liaison to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, where he has led the effort to require higher academic and character standards for applicants to the Florida Bar. As the currently Chair of the Florida Professionalism Commission, his interest in maintaining high standards for all lawyers continues.
Well known for his work with children, the disabled, the ill and infirm, the elderly and the disadvantaged, Justice Lewis continues to devote his non-judicial time to serve the people of Florida.
The Hoeveler Award was created in honor of the Hon. William M. Hoeveler, senior U.S. District Court judge, as a lifetime achievement award for a lawyer of outstanding ethics and dedication to public service. Previous recipients include Daniel S. Pearson, Walter H. Beckham Jr., Judge Rosemary Barkett, Janet Reno, Judge Peter Fay, Judge Mario Goderich, Judge Donald Graham, Judge Joseph Hatchett and State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle.
Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis, JD '72, to Receive Hoeveler Award
University of Miami
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