Justice Alan Lawson

BIRTHPLACE:  Lakeland, Florida, in 1961

Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson

SPOUSE:  Julie Carlton Lawson

CHILDREN: Two

GRANDCHILDREN: Two

LEGAL OFFICES & POSITIONS:  
Justice, Supreme Court of Florida, 2016 – August 31, 2022;
Chief Judge, Fifth District Court of Appeal, 2015 – 2016;
Judge, Fifth District Court of Appeal, 2006 – 2016;
Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit, 2002 – 2005;
Assistant County Attorney, Orange County, Florida, 1997 – 2001;
General Counsel, Verses Wear, Inc., 1996;
Associate & Partner, Steel Hector & Davis, Miami & Tallahassee, 1987 – 1995.

STATE COURT SYSTEM ADVISORY COMMITTEES:
Budget Oversight Committee, 2017 – 2022;
Trial Court Budget Commission, 2017 – 2022;
Standing Committee on Fairness & Diversity, 2017 – 2022;
Code & Rules of Evidence Committee, 2017 – 2022;
Probate Rules Committee, 2017 – 2022;
Space Planning Committee, 2017 – 2022.

BAR & EXTRAJUDICIAL OFFICES & ACTIVITIES:
Florida District Court of Appeal Budget Commission, Chair, 2013 – 2016;
Appellate Courts Technology Committee, Member, 2008 – 2016; Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, Legislative Chair, 2011 – 2013;
Appellate Practice Section, Fifth District Representative, 2006 – 2014;
Appellate Court Technology Committee, Fifth District Representative, 2006 – 2016;
Rules of Criminal Procedure Committee, 2004 – 2009;
First Central Florida Inns of Court, 2002 – 2007 & 2016 - Present;
Orange County Bar Association, 1996 – Present;
Former Test Writer (Evidence) and Grader, Florida Board of Bar Examiners;
Code and Rules of Evidence Committee, Past Member.

DEGREES: J.D., Florida State University, 1987, with Highest Honors; B.S., Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management (with emphasis in Natural Resource  Management), Clemson University, 1983, with Highest Honors; A.A., Tallahassee Community College, 1981, with Highest Honors.

HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS:
Martindale-Hubbell “A.V.” attorney rating; Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, Outstanding Jurist Award (2005); University Graduate Award and Fellowship, Florida State University; O’Kelly Civil Trial Practice Award and Scholarship, Florida State University; Book Awards in Evidence and Legal History, Florida State University; Rhodes Scholarship Nominee, Clemson University; Hartzog Award and Scholarship, Clemson University; Order of the Coif.

CIVIC ACTIVITIES:
Orthodox Church of St. Stephen (Member);
First Presbyterian Church of Orlando (Member);
Vision Orlando (Board Member);
House of Hope (Former Board Member and Volunteer);
Surgical and Medical Assistance Relief Teams (Volunteer);
Hope for Honduras (Volunteer);
2008 Boston Marathon Qualifier and Finisher.