Beyond the Bench

Beyond the Bench is a podcast series produced by the Florida Supreme Court. These podcasts will give you a better understanding of how Florida's courts work and how they work for you. Shows cover a broad range of topics and are meant to be informational, educational, and entertaining.

Gilbert King: Changing the Narrative 01/30/2020

Gilbert King: Changing the Narrative Pulitzer-prize winning author, Gilbert King, stopped by the Supreme Court to discuss his two books based on true Florida legal cases: Devil in the Grove and Beneath a Ruthless Sun. Mr. King discusses Florida's history of racial justice -- sometimes racial injustice -- and the role the courts played during the time his books take place starting in the 1940s. Find out more about Florida's legal history, the role the Florida Supreme Court played, and why it sometimes is important to change the narrative of our own past. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/12955874

Justice Bell: The 191-Mile Journey from Pensacola to Tallahassee 01/14/2020

Justice Bell: The 191-Mile Journey from Pensacola to Tallahassee Justice Kenneth Bell was the 81st Justice (2003-2008) of the Florida Supreme Court. At the time of his appointment, he was the first justice from Pensacola in a century and the first from west of Tallahassee since 1917. Justice Bell is a seventh-generation Pensacolian whose paternal ancestors immigrated to the Pensacola area around 1819, when Florida still was a Spanish colony. Listen as he discusses why he's proud of his Northwest Florida roots. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/12738275

Justice Barkett: First Woman to Serve 11/15/2019

Justice Barkett: First Woman to Serve In this Beyond the Bench episode, Justice Barkett describes her 1985 appointment to the Florida Supreme Court by then-Governor Bob Graham, the justices she met during her first visit to 500 S. Duval Street, and the remodeling issue her appointment created. She also discusses her life today as a judge on an international treaty court, the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal based in The Hague. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/12053159

Reflections by Justice Kogan: From Lawyer to Justice 03/01/2019

Reflections by Justice Kogan: From Lawyer to Justice Retired Justice Gerald Kogan stopped by the Florida Supreme Court long enough to sit down with Craig Waters, Director of Public Information, and reminisce about life before, during and after his time on the Court. Justice Kogan was the 73rd Justice (1987-1998) and is best known for his work as Chief Justice from 1996 to 1998 when he started the first live TV broadcasts of court arguments and began using the Web to post court documents for easy access by the public. Read his biography on the . Listen as he tells his story, talks about the justices he served with and shares his philosophy about life. Photo courtesy of the . /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/8841638

Justice Pariente: Saying Goodbye is Never Easy 01/11/2019

Justice Pariente: Saying Goodbye is Never Easy On Justice Barbara Pariente's last day at the Supreme Court (January 7, 2019), she sat down to reminisce and reflect on her 21 years (1997-2019) on the state's highest court. She became a national symbol in 2003 when she continued work as a Justice through breast cancer treatment, even hearing cases on live television without wearing a wig. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/8211029

Chief Justice: First among equals 06/27/2018

Chief Justice: First among equals What does it take to run Florida's judicial branch? Justices Jorge Labarga and Charles Canady sit down to discuss the role of the chief justice and what it means to "pass the gavel" from one chief justice to the next. Justice Labarga's two-term chief justice service ends June 30, 2018. Justice Canady begins his second term as head of the Supreme Court and the state judiciary July 1, 2018. Justice Canady previously served as chief justice from 2010 to 2012. Recorded on June 6, 2018. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/6750427

The Suite Life: A behind-the-scenes perspective 06/07/2018

The Suite Life: A behind-the-scenes perspective Why do justices need attorneys? A. Mireille Fall-Fry and Michelle Ballard, both staff attorneys who have worked for the court for 12 and 19 years respectively, answer this question. Their unique perspective provides insight into the day-to-day operations of the state's highest court. In a nutshell, their essential role is to serve as a resource for justices to facilitate an impartial, well-reasoned decision. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/6679784

Working for a Living: The life of a deputy clerk 04/27/2018

Working for a Living: The life of a deputy clerk Deputy Clerk's Christie Davis and Lindsey Champion discuss what it's like to work in the clerk's office. This look "behind the counter" provides an overview of opinion releases, disposition orders, case flings, and more. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/6529803

A librarian and an archivist walk into a room… 03/20/2018

A librarian and an archivist walk into a room… Supreme Court Librarian Billie Blaine and Archivist Erik Robinson give an overview of the library's resources to the justices, court staff and the public. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/6387360

Court Communications: Delivering our Message 01/08/2018

Court Communications: Delivering our Message This inaugural podcast features Florida Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Leon County Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson talking about how Florida courts communicate with people. Their discussion touches on the importance of jurors and impartial courts, social media, cameras in the courtrooms and some classic movies about the legal system. /episode/index/show/flcourts/id/6127849

Beyond the Bench

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