The University of Miami School of Law mourns the passing of former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis, a visionary leader whose influence on Florida’s judiciary and civic life spanned decades. He passed away this week at the age of 78.
A proud Miami Law alumnus, Lewis built a distinguished career rooted in the academic excellence and public service he developed as a student. He graduated cum laude, ranked third in his class and served on the University of Miami Law Review. Selected as a Justice of the Law School Honor Council, Lewis also served on the Appellate Moot Court Teams. He was selected for the Iron Arrow, the highest honor society at the University of Miami, and was awarded membership in Bar and Gavel and Order of Barristers.
“Justice Lewis’s life and career reflect a remarkable legacy of leadership and service,” said Dean Patricia Sanchez Abril. “From graduating cum laude, ranking third in his class, and serving on Law Review, to his historic tenure as Chief Justice, he has distinguished himself at every stage. Miami Law is proud to call him one of our own.”
Dedication to the School of Law
Throughout his career, Lewis remained deeply connected to the institution that helped shape his path. He often credited Miami Law for expanding his perspective and preparing him not only to excel in the legal profession, but to serve his community and state.
In a recent 2026 interview, Lewis reflected on the formative impact of his legal education. "The University of Miami School of Law prepared me to not only compete at the top level of the legal profession but to contribute to my community and my state. The most significant impact on my education and career flows from the broad curriculum and law school professors at the University of Miami School of Law.”
He regularly returned to campus, presiding over Florida Bar swearing-in ceremonies for graduates and engaging with students as a mentor and speaker. In 2013, he received the William M. Hoeveler Award from the Center for Ethics and Public Service, recognizing his exceptional integrity, leadership, and commitment to public service.
At the award ceremony he said, "I don't know what I expected from law school, but it was beyond my greatest expectation."
Mentor, Teacher, and Champion of Students
Beyond his work on the bench, Lewis was deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of lawyers. He consistently created opportunities for Miami Law students, hiring many as interns, clerks, and staff attorneys at the Florida Supreme Court.
His mentorship left a lasting impression. Alumni who worked with him describe not only the professional opportunities he provided, but the example he set as a thoughtful, principled jurist.
Lewis also returned to the classroom, serving as an adjunct professor at Miami Law from 2014 to 2018, where he taught Florida Tort Law. Known for his accessibility and insight, he brought real-world perspective and a deep sense of purpose to his teaching, inspiring students to see the law as a vehicle for service.
“Fred was among the kindest people I ever knew—a phenomenal lawyer, jurist, and friend,” said classmate Ed Shohat, J.D. ’72. “He represented the very best of our profession.”
A Transformative Judicial Legacy
Appointed to the Supreme Court of Florida in 1998, Lewis went on to serve as Chief Justice, where he led efforts to modernize the state’s courts and expand access to justice. His leadership advanced important statewide initiatives, including reforms in mental health policy, improved access for individuals with disabilities, and the expansion of judicial diversity training.
A passionate advocate for civic education, Lewis also founded Justice Teaching, a program dedicated to promoting civics learning and engagement among students. The initiative continues today through the Justice Teaching Center for Civic Learning, extending his influence far beyond the courtroom.
Throughout his life and career, Lewis embodied a profound commitment to service, integrity, and education. Whether on the bench, in the classroom, or in the community, he remained steadfast in his belief that the law carries both responsibility and opportunity—to lead, to serve, and to make a difference.
His legacy lives on in the countless students he mentored, the legal system he helped strengthen, and the communities he inspired to engage in civic life. For Miami Law, he remains a source of enduring pride—a jurist whose impact will continue to shape future generations.
