Ricky Polston

Ricky Polston
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida
In office
July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2014
Preceded by Charles T. Canady
Succeeded by Jorge Labarga
Justice for the Florida Supreme Court
Assumed office
October 1, 2008
Nominated by Florida Judicial Nominating Commission
Appointed by Charlie Crist
Preceded by Kenneth B. Bell
Personal details
Born 1956 (age 59–60)
Dothan, Alabama
Nationality American
Spouse(s) Deborah Ehler Polston
Residence Tallahassee, Florida
Alma mater Florida State University College of Law (J.D.)
Florida State University (B.S.)
Website Florida Supreme Court Bio

Ricky L. Polston (born 1956 in Dothan, Alabama) has been a Justice of the Florida Supreme Court since his appointment in 2008 and was the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court from July 2012 to June 2014.[1] He is a graduate of Florida State University College of Law.

Background

Polston was raised in Graceville, Florida, and graduated from Graceville High School in 1973 as valedictorian. He received an A.A. from Chipola College in 1975, and a B.S., summa cum laude, from Florida State University in 1977. In 1986, he received his J.D. with high honors from the Florida State University College of Law. Polston is married to children's book author Deborah Ehler Polston. They have ten children, including six whom they have adopted.

Polston has been a certified public accountant since 1978 and worked as a public accountant from 1977-1984. After becoming an attorney, Polston was in private practice from 1987-2000. Governor Jeb Bush appointed him a judge of the First District Court of Appeal of Florida on January 2, 2001, where he served until his appointment to the Florida Supreme Court. During his service on the Court of Appeals, Polston heard over 6,000 appellate cases.[2] Since 2003, Polston has also worked as an adjunct professor at Florida State University College of Law, teaching the Florida Constitutional Law class there for several years.

Supreme Court appointment

Governor Charlie Crist appointed Polston to the Florida Supreme Court on October 1, 2008 to replace Kenneth B. Bell, who resigned that day to return to private practice. Polston was sworn in the next day. He was the second of Crist's four appointments to the Florida Supreme Court.

Justice Polston was elected unanimously to serve as Florida's 55th Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, starting July 1, 2012. Polston, who served a two-year term in the office, is the first Florida State Law alum to be selected as Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.

References

  1. ↑ "Chronology of the Chief Justices of Florida" (PDF). The Office of Public Information, State of Florida. 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  2. ↑ The Florida Bar News, "Polston Joins the Court", October 15, 2008, p. 1.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Kenneth B. Bell		 Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
2008–present 		Incumbent


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