The following is a real-time transcript taken as closed captioning during the oral argument proceedings, and as such, may contain errors. This service is provided solely for the purpose of assisting those with disabilities and should be used for no other purpose. These are not legal documents, and may not be used as legal authority. This transcript is not an official document of the Florida Supreme Court.

2002 Florida Bar Candidates Induction Ceremony


CHIEF JUSTICE: WE HAD ORAL ARGUMENT THIS MORNING, SO, ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, AT THE OUTSET, IS THAT I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT. SO MUCH OF OUR LAW SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS DEDICATED, AS WELL AS --, AS WELL IT SHOULD BE, TO THE STUDY OF PROCEDURES AND RULES THAT ARE DEVELOPED IN FEDERAL COURTS. WHOEVER, WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER, QUITE EARLY IN YOUR LEGAL CAREERS AND WHAT IS CERTAINLY AN INCREASINGLY APPARENT TO ME, IS THAT THE REAL PLACE WHERE YOUR SERVICE WILL BE TO YOUR COMMUNITY IS GOING TO BE IN THE STATE COURTS, AND IN THE COURTS THAT ARE THERE IN EACH COMMUNITY IN FLORIDA, EACH COUTY IN FLORIDA, AT THE COUNTY COURT HOUSES, WHERE THE VITAL ISSUES THAT TOUCH EVERY CITIZENS' LIVES ARE DECIDED DAILY, FROM ADOPTIONS TO TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TO HANDLING OF SMALL BUSINESS ISSUES, TO FELONIES, TO CAPITAL CRIMES, TO ESTATES LITERALLY FROM BIRTH TO DEATH, THERE IS NO ISSUE WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT TOUCHED BY THE CIRCUIT COURTS AND THEN THE DISTRICT COURTS AND FINALLY, THIS COURT, AND TO WHICH LAWYERS WHO ARE PART OF THE FLORIDA BAR, ARE THE INSTRUMENTAL PARTICIPANTS IN THOSE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT SO MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES, AND SO IT IS TRULY WITH THAT THOUGHT THAT I AM PARTICULARLY WELCOMING YOU TO THIS COURT AND THIS BUILDING AND TO BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA BAR. ALSO AT THE END OF THIS CEREMONY WE WILL PROCEED OUT TO THE STEPS HERE. I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED WITH IT, BUT USUALLY AS THE PROP FOR THIS OCCASION, IT CALLS TO THE ATTENTION OF EVERYONE T FACT THAT U SHOULD LOOK TO THE PERSONTO YOUR RIGHT AND LOOK TO THE PERSON TO YOUR LEFT, BECAUSE WHEN I LOOK TO THE PERSON TO MY RIGHT, AND I LOOK TO THE PERSON TO MY LEFT, AND I LOOK IN THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT WAS TAKEN, WHEN WAS IT?

JUNE OF 1960.

JUNE OF 1960, THIS PERSON WAS STANDNG NEXT TO THIS PERSON IN THAT PHOTOGRAPH! AND THEY ENDED UP HERE WITH, CERTAINLY, THEY HAVE EACH MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS, UNEXCELLED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE, OUR PROFESSION AND TO OUR STATE, THROUGH THEIR SERVICE ON THE COURT, AND SO THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOU MAY BE THAT PERSON THAT IS SITTING HERE, IN 42 YEARS, NEXT TO YOU! [LAUGHTER] SO AS WE PROCEED, NOW, WITH THE CEREMONY, I WOULDALLON THE ISTINGUISHED PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA BAR, WHO HAS GIVEN, TO US, A WONDERFUL YEAR AND IS JUST CELEBRATING, I BELIEVE, A TREMENDOUS CONRIUTION THAT S GOING TO BE MADE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ACTION. TERRY RUSSELL. THROUGH THE FUNDING OF LEGAL SCHZ, TO AN EXTENT -- LEGAL SERVICES, O AN EXTENT, BY TE STATE. MR. TERRY RUSSELL.

CHIEF JUSTICE WELLS, MEMBERS OF THE COURT. GOOD AFTERNOON. HONORED GUESTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MY BRAND NEW COLLEAGUES, TO ALL OF YOU BEIG ADMITTED HERE, TODAY, AS OUR NEWEST ATTORNEYS, I BRING YOU GREETINGS AND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS FROM ECUVE DIRECTOR ACK HARKNESS, THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND YOUR 70,000 FELLOW ATTORNEYS WHO SARE YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN THE FLORIDA BAR. 33 YEARS AGO, I SAT IN AN AUDITORIUM IN MIAMI AND LISTENED TO A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE BAR EXTOLL THE VIRTUES OF OUR GREAT AND NOBLE PROFESSION, WHEN I WAS SWORN AS YOU WILL BE TODAY. I REMEMBER THE OCCASION WELL, AS YOU WILL REMEMBER THIS ONE. YOU WILL REMEMBER IT, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT MARKS THE CULMINATION OF YOUR CAREER ASPRATIONS OR BECAUSE YOU JUSTIFIABLY FEEL THE PRIDE OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR BECAUSE YOU SHARE THIS WONDERFUL EVENT WITH YOUR FAMILIES, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS, BUT, ALSO, BCAUSE ITMRKS A TURNING POINT IN YOUR LIVES FORM YOU BECOME -- IN YOUR LIVES. YOU BECOME PROFESSIONALS TODAY. ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS OF THE LAW, PUBLIC SERVANTS, OFFICERS OF THE COURT, STEWARDS OF AN ENIRE BRANCHOF GOVERNMENT, SOCIAL ARCHITECTS, PROBLEM-SOLVERS. TODAY YOU ARE LAWYERS. YOU DRAW YOUR HERITAGE FROM JEFFERSON AND ADAMS AND LINCOLN AND MARSHAL AND BRANDIES AND POUND, AND YOU CARRY THAT LEGACY TO INSPIRE YOU AND TO GUIDE YOU AND TO CHALLENGE YOU AND TO BURDEN YOU, BECAUSE TO CARRY THE MANTEL OF THIS PROFESSIN WELL, YOU MUST LIVE THE OATH THAT YOU TAKE HERE TODAY, EVERYDAY,, FOR IT IS THE SENTIMENTS THAT ARE EXPRESSED HERE TODAY, IN THE OATH, THAT SET ATTORNEYS APART FROM OTHER VOCATIONS AND PROFESSIONS. THINK WHAT YOU CAN DO, NOW THAT YOU ARE LAWYERS! YOU CAN AND, WHEN CALLED UPON, YOU MUST CHALLENGE THE MOST POWERFUL GOVERNMENT ON EARTH, TO ENSURE THE LIBERTY OF ITS CITIZENS. YOU CAN SECURE THE RIGHTS OF THE OPPRESSED, THE INFIRM, THE POOR, THE ACCUSED, AND IN SO DOING, ENSURE THE WELFARE OF ALL OF US. YOU CAN GIVE A VOICE TO THE VOICE LESS AND A CHANCE TO THE LEAST AMONG US. BUT DON'T EVER TAKE OUR LEGAL SYSTEM FOR GRANTED OR TOLERATE AN EFFORT TO ERODE ITS PLACE IN OUR DEMOCRACY. IN APRIL 2001, THE MIAMI HERALD DESCRIBED ANOTHER LEGAL SYSTEM IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, GUATEMALA, WHERE DEDICATED LAWYERS AND JUDGES FACE THREATS OF DEATH AND BODILY HARM ON A DAILY BASIS. INVESTIGATORS IN THAT COUNTRY ATTRIBUTE NEARLY HALF OF THOSE THREATS TO CORRUPT POLICE OR TO ORGANIZED CRIME. ONE BELEAGUERED JUDGE IS GUARDED 24 HOURS PER DAY BY SIX OFFICERS IN HER HOME AND TWENTY IN OUR COURTROOM. SHE% VEERS, SHE SAYS, BECAUSE OF HER -- SHE%ER VEERS, SE SAYS -- WE ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE SOCIETY, AND I BELIEVE THAT, IN SPITE OF THE HORRIFYING EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, AND WE HAVE A POWERFUL AND INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OF JUSTICE TO GUARD US FROM TYRANNY, BUT YOU SEE, WE ARE THE GUARDIANS, YOU AND ME, AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOULD WEAKEN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM IN DEFERENCE TO THEIR OWN MISGUIDED IDEOLOGY, SO EACH OF YOU COME TO THE PROFESSION WITH A NEW RESPONSIBILITY. A FAIR, IMPARTIAL, UNBIASED JUDICIARY, FREE OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE, IS ESSENTIAL TO FREEDOM. ALWAYS FIGHT TO PRESERVE IT. ON MY DESK, I KEEP A SHORT SCRIPTURE EXCERPT FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET MICA. HE HAS SHOWN YOU WHAT IS GOOD, AND WHAT DOES THE LORD ASK OF YOU BUT TO DO MERCY AND JUSTICE AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH HIM, SO REMEMBER TODAY TO STAY STRONG AND HUMBLE AND MERCIFUL AND JUST AND YOU WILL BEAR YOUR LEGACY JUST AND WELL. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. MY PERSONAL CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU. THOUGH MY TERM AS PRESIDENT IS NEARLY COMPLETE, YOUR FLORIDA BAR WILL ALWAYS BE HERE TO SERVE YOU, OUR PROFESSION, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE PUBLIC GOOD. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

CHIEF JUSTICE: NOW I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ON BEHALF OF THE NEWLY-ADMITTED LAWYERS, MS. KAREN ARNETT.

THANK YOU, MR. CHIEF JUSTICE. HONORABLE JUSTICES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THE NEW INDUCTEES OF THE APRIL 2002 NEW INDUCTEES TO THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA. I AM SURE THEY ALL JOIN ME IN WELCOMING, IN CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FOR SUCH A JOB WELL DONE. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MET THE TEST AND PASSED THAT TEST, AND IN PREPARATIONFOR THE SAME, I AM SURE THERE WERE SOME TIMES OF DOUBT, TIMES OF STRUGGLE, AND TIMES OF WONDERING WHETHER IT WAS ALL WORTH IT. BUT TODAY YOU KNOW IT IS. AND TODAY YOU START YOUR REST OF YOUR CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL, AND THAT IS SUCH A FINE EXPERIENCE. MYSELF, I WAS ADMITTED BEFORE THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT 30 YEARS AGO TODAY, NOT TODAY BUT THIS YEAR, AND THE IDEA OF COMING DOWN AND GIVING UP MY PRACTICE IN INDIANAAND COMING TO FLORIDA AND TAKING A TEST, AFTER 30 YEARS, WAS VERY DAUNTING TO ME. IT TOOK ME THREE YEARS TO GET UP THE COURAGE, SO I UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS THAT ONE GOES THROUGH IN THIS PREPARATION PROCESS, SO YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED. IN THAT, I THINK WE SHOULD, AS INDUCTEES, GIVE WARM THANKS TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE REPRESENTED BYTHE FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT ARE ON THE OTHER SDE OF THE COURTROOM HERE. I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF YOU THROUGH YOUR TIME OF STRIVING TO LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU COULD BEFORE THAT, THOSE DAYS THAT WE SAT THERE, TAKING THOSE TESTS, BUT THEY DESERVE OUR THANKS, AND ON BEHALF OF THE NEW INDUCTEES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING UP WITH US AND FOR BEING THERE FOR US. BUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE MET THIS TEST, THERE IS MANY MORE TO COE  COME. DAILY. AS YOU PRACTICE LAW. AND AS OTHERS HAVE ALLUDED TO, YOU ARE ENTERING INTO A PROFESSION THAT CARRIES A GREAT AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND A GREAT AMOUNT OF CHALLENGE. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MEET THAT CHALLENGE, THOSE CHALLENGES, AND IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE CHALLENGES, YOU MUST BE PREPARED. PREPARATION IS OH, SO IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THE ADVICE WE GIVE IS ALWAYS ADVICE THAT WILL AFFECT THE LIVES OF OTHERS, AFFECT THE FUTURE OF OTHERS, AFFECT THE GOALS OF OTHERS,AND THAT IS A PRETTY AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY, ONE THAT WE CAN NEVER, EVER TAKE LIGHTLY, AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL DO SO, BUT AS WE ARE PURSUING THOSE ENDEAVORS, WE HAVE TO, ALSO, STRIVE TO KEEP OUR LIFE IN BALANCE, AND PART OF KEEPING OUR PROFESSIOAL LIFE IN BALACE IS TO GIVE TO THE LESS FORTUNATE, REPRESENT THE LESS FORTUNATE, GIVE TO OUR COMMUNITY. I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE MOST JOYOUS AND MOST MEMORABLE TYPES IN MY LAST 30 YEARS WAS SERVING AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER. WHILE YOU DIDN'T NEED TO HAVE A LEGAL DEGREE, IT HELPS SO MUCH, BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT PROFESSION YOU GO INTO, EVEN IF IT ISN'T THE TRADITIONAL LEGAL PROFESSIONS, THIS EDUCATION AND WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED IN THE PAST, I GUESS, SEVEN YEARS, WILL BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO YOU, BUT, ANYWAY, THOSE TIMES WERE EXTREMELY MEMORABLE, AND IN THE OTHER SERVICE-TYPE ENDEAVORS THAT YOU FOLLOW, YOU WILL FIND ARE THE TRULY SPECIAL TIMES, BUT IN KEEPING YOUR LIFE IN BALANCE, YOU CAN'T, YOU SHOULDN'T ONLY THINK OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER, BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE TRUST AND FAITH IN YOUR GOD AND RELY ON THAT STRENGTH, AND SO IMPORTANT REMEMBER TO CARE FOR YOUR FAMILY. REMEMBER TO BE THERE FOR THEM. REMEMBER TO BE THERE WHEN THINGS ARE IMPORTANT FOR THEM, AND IT IS A HARD THING TO DO, AND I KNOW MANY TIMES, WE FAIL, AND MANY TIMES, WE AREN'T THERE WHEN WE SHOULD BE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T KEEP TRYING. SO GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND GOOD LUCK, AND FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THE COURT, ON BEHALF OF THE INDUCTEES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS MEMORABLE OCCASION AND SPECIFICALLY FOR MY PART, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME SUCH A WARM WELCOME TO MY NEW HOME, FLORIDA.

CHIEF JUSTICE: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NOW I WOULD CALL UPON A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST DISTRICT, THE HONORABLE RICKY POLSTON FOR REMARKS.

MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, OUR NEW MEMBERS OF THE BAR, AND TO YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU ALONG THE WAY IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND TO HELP MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE IN YOUR LIVES. I WELCOME YOU HERE, TODAY, NOT AS JUST NEW LAWYERS BUT AS FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, AS FUTUR UNITED STATES SENATORS AND REPRESENTATVES, FUTURE JUDGES ON THE STATE AND FEDERAL BENCH, AND FUTURE EXECUTIVES OF OUR GOVERNMENT. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR PERSONAL IMPACT ON THE GOVERNMENT IN FLORIDA AND OF THE UNIED STATES. THIS AFTERNOON, I WANT TO LEAVE WITH YOU A PERSPECTIVE OF HOW YOU CAN HELP, HOW YOU MUST HELP TO SERVE A VITAL ROLE IN OUR FLORIDA GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW, AND IN WHATEVER JOB YOU TAKE IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW. A FEW DAYS AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, JUDGE STAFFORD, A HONORED AND RESPECTED FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE HERE, IN TALLAHASSEE, TOOK THE PODIUM AT THE TALLAHASSEE BAR ASSOCIATION MEETING AND REMINDED US THAT WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR GOVERN THE JUDICIARY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. HE COMMENTED THAT, IN THE FACE OF TERRORIST ATTACKS, OUR GOVERNMENT STILL FUNCTIONS, AND AS AS LAWYERS, WE MUST DO OUR PART TO SEE THAT THE JUDICIARY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OPERATES WELL. WE MUST FULFILL OUR ROLES IN GOVERNMENT AND DO IT UNSELFISHLY AND WITH EXCELLENCE. ARTICLE II SECTION 3 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION STATES THAT THE POWERS OF STATE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE DIVIDED INTO LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES. NO PERSON BELONGING TO ONE BRANCH SHALL EXERCISE ANY POWERS PERTAINING TO EITHER OF THE OTHER BRANCHES, UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HERE IN. YOU AS LAWYERS HAVE AN UNIQUE ROLE, BECAUSE YOU ARE GUIDED TO THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. THIS COURT, THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT, THE DISTRICT COURTS OF APPEAL, THE TRIAL COURTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS DO NOT AND CANNOT OPERATE IN A VACUUM. PARTIES REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEYS APPEAR IN OUR COURTS, SEEKING RELIEF AND JUSTICE. DISPUTES ARE RESOLVED BETWEEN PARTIES AND THEIR COUNSEL, WITHOUT EVER FILING LAWSUITS. AND BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS AND DEALINGS ARE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYDAY, WITH LAWYERS' ADVICE AND COUNSEL. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITES, INVOLVING LAWYERS, REFLECT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE JUDICIARY BRANCH OF OUR GOVERNMENT. WHY IS THAT? IT IS BECAUSE CHAPTER 4 OF THE RULES REGULATING THE FLORIDA BAR STATE THAT A LAWYER IS AN OFFICER OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM, THAT LAWYERS ARE OFFICERS OF THE COURT, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO THE JUDICIARY FOR THE PROPRIETY OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND THAT NEGLECTING THESE RESPONSIBILITIES COMPROMISE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE PROFESSION AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT IT SERVES. S OFFICRS OF THE COURT, YOU HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO YOUR PART, TO MAKE THE JUDICIARY BRANCH OF OUR GOVERNMENT A STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE. I HAVE LONG HEARD IN MY CAREER, AND YOU MAY HEAR THE OPINION OF MANY, THAT IT IS THE YOUNG LAWYERS THAT HAVE TAKEN A RESPECTED AND HONORABLE PROFESSION ANDRAN IT INTO THE DIRT FO THEIRSELFISH AND GREEDY GAIN. -- FOR THEIR SELFISH AND GREDY GAIN. I TAKE EXCEPTION TO THAT OPINION. IT IS MY OPINION AND PERSONAL BELIEF THAT YOU AND LAWYERS LIKE YOU ARE THE HOPE OF THIS PROFESSION AND NOT ITS PROBLEM. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO HELP THIS JUDICIARY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT TO RAISE THE STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW. TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME AND TRY, EACH DAY, TO DO A GOOD DAY'S WORK. YOU WIL KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE DONE A GOO DAY'S WORK. WHEN YOU HAVE A CLIENT CALL YOU UP AND FIRE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO CONDUCT A CASE IN A STRAIGHTFORWARD, PROFESSIONAL MANNER, INSTEAD OF -- WHEN YOU HAVE A CLIENT CALL YOU UP AND HIRE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO CONDUCT A CASE IN A STRAIGHTFORWARD, PROFESSIONAL MANNER INSTEAD OF OTHERWISE, YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD DAY'S WORK. WHEN YOU TAKE A CLIENT THAT CANNOT AFFORD A PROFESSIONAL APPEAL, YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD DAY'S WORK. GRADUATES FROM EMORYUNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD RECOGNIZE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE THEM AND BE ABLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, WHEN FACED WITH A CHALLENGE. HE PUT IT THIS WAY. NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF LAW YOU PRACTICE, YOU WILL BE ON THE FRONT LINES OF SOCIETY. OUR PITH WILL COME. GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE TALENT. WELCOME TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW IN FLORIDA. WE NEED YOU. [APPLAUSE]

CHIEF JUSTICE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE POLSTON. WEWOULD, NOW, RECOGNIZE TERRY RGSBY OF THE FLORIDA BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS, TO PRESENT THE CANDIDATES AND MOVE THEIR ADMISSION. MR. RIGGS BYE.

THANK YOU. MAY PLEASE -- MR. BIGSBY.

THANK YOU. MY IT PLEASE THE COURT. PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF THE FLODA BAR, THE CANDIDATES BEFORE YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW AND UDERSTANDING OF THE IDEALS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. IN ADDITION, THEIR BACKGROUNDS HAVE BEEN SEARCHED FOR CHARACTER AND FITNESS. ON BEHALF THE FLORIDA BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS, I CERTIFY THAT THESE CANDIDATES ARE FULLY QUALIFIED AND THAT EACH ENJOYS THE ENTHUSIASTIC RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD FOR ADMISSION TO THE FLORIDA BAR. THE NAMES OF THE CANDIDATES BEFORE YOU AT THIS TIME ARE AS FOLLOWS.

CHIEF JUSTICE: AND I WOULD ASK THAT, AS YOUR NAME IS CALLED IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STAND AND REMAIN STANDING.

KAREN L ARNETT. SUSAN E AFTER LOAN, DANIEL -- AVELONE. DAVID CAMBELL BECK. PAMELA BRADY BECK. JOHN BENTON. ROCKY CAVANAUGH. RICARDO CALVADO II. APRIL BENTLEY. AMY D CHILDERS. VALDA CLARK CHRISTIAN. JOE DEL HONING. LORI ANN COOPER. JEAN CURTAIN. RHINE PATRICK DOUG AND. -- RYAN MATT RICK DUGAN. E WILLIAM DIRE. SAM YOL HOMES EDWARDS. -- SAMUL HOLMES EDWARDS. ROGER KEITH ELTN. TEY MICHAEL LYNN. LUCY AMANDA HOLMES. JESSY HENDRICKS. JESSY ELAINE HOWLL. MAXIM HISTUMIN. TERRY MICHELLE JONES. KATHLEEN LOWRY KLEIN. WESLEY LEE CLINKA. GEORGE LAVESQUE. DANIEL LAMUNDO. JAMES MATTHEWS MEAD. DOUGLAS EDWARD MYERS III. MARY MINKOWSKY. FRISCO CANCHITO. CARRIE RICE. TERRY RODIN. DENNIS RODIN. HIDE RUIZ. SANDRA LYNN SHANOVERA. SEAN JASON SELIVER. JASONLE? JR.. SHARON STRACTLER. ERIC MAJOR TROMLY. WENDY RAY WEB. TANYA VICTORIA WHITE. AND, LAST, BRANDON JOHN YOUNG. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. RIGGS BYE. -- MR. RIGGS BI. NOW, IF YOU WILL EACH RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME. I, AND STATE YOUR FULL NAME, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I WILL MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO COURTS OF JUSTICE AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS. I WILL NOT COUNSEL OR MAINTAIN ANY SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS WHICH SHALL APPEAR O ME TO BE UNJUST NOR ANY DEFENSE EXCET SUCH AS I BELIEVE TO BE HONESTLY DEBATABLE UNDER THE LAW OF THE LAND. I WILL EMPLOY, TOO PURPOSE OF -- FOR PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THE CAUSES CONFIDED TO ME, SUCH MEANS ONLY AS ARE CONSISTENT WITH TRUTH AND HONOR. AND WILL NEVER SEEK TO MISLEAD THE JUDGE OR JURY BY NY ARTIFICE OR FALSE STATEMENT OF FACT OR LAW. I WILL MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE AND PRESERVE INVIOLATE, THE SECRETS OF MY CLIENTS AND WILL ACCEPT NO COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR BUSINESS, EXCEPT FROM THEM OR WITH THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL. I WILL ABSTAIN FROM ALL OFFENSIVE PERSNALITY AND ADVANCE NO FACT PREJUDICIAL TO THE HONOR OR REPUTATION OF A PARTY OR WITNESS, UNLESS REQUIRED BY THE JUSTICE OF THE CAUSE. WITH WHICH I AM CHARGED. I WILL NEVER REJCT FROM ANY CONSIDERATION PERSONAL TO MYSELF THE CAUSE OF THE DEFENSELESS OR OPPRESSED. OR DELAY ANYONE'S CASE FOR LUKOR OR MALICE. SO HELP ME GOD. CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU. AND NOW I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU, BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, TO TURN AND GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE, AS MS. ARNETT SAID, TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU ALONG THIS PATH TO THIS DAY. [APPLAUSE] YOU MAY BE SEATED. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PARENTS AND SUPPORTIVE BETTER HALVES OR OTHER HALVES OUT THERE, I CAN CERTAINLY SAY THAT I IDENTIFY WITH YOU AND THAT I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE GRADUATION OF MY YOUNGEST FROM THE COLLEGE OF LAW AT NORTHWESTERN, AND I MUST FEEL MUCH LIKE A PERSON MUST FEEL, WHEN THEY HAVE JUST MADE BAIL. [LAUGHTER] SO I WOULD CERTAINLY CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU WHO ARE NOW HAVE BEEN SWORN TO UPHOLD THE OATH OF THE FLORIDA BAR AND ARE DULY ADMITTED TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE WOULD ASK THAT ONLY THE NEWLY-SWORN ATTORNEYS GO TO THE FRONT OF THE STEPS OF THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY, AS WE ADJOURN HERE. MEMBERS OF THE COURT WILL PROCEED OUT TO THE STEPS, FOR PHOTOGRAPHS, AND WE ASK ALL OF THE GUESTS TO REMAIN INSIDE THE ROTUNDA, WHERE IT IS AIR CONDITIONED TODAY, I MUST NOTE, UNTIL THE GROUP PHOTOGRAPIS COMPLETED, TEN THE NEWLY-ADMITTED LAWYERSHALL RETUN TO IGN YOR OATHS, IF YOUHAVE NOT ALREADY DONE THAT. AND SO AT THIS TIME, THE COURT WILL BE IN RECESS.

MARSHAL: PLEAE RISE.