
Richard Fred Lewis
Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida
- Lifespan
- December 14, 1947 – May 26, 2026Dec 14, 1947 – May 26, 2026
- Location
- Tallahassee, Florida, United StatesTallahassee, FL

Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida
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Key moments and achievements from Richard Lewis's life.
Richard was born
· Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Graduation
Lewis graduated cum laude from Florida Southern College as the Honor Walk Student and an NCAA Post-Graduate Grant recipient. This same year, he married his wife, Judith, marking the beginning of his transition from West Virginia to a life of legal service in Florida.
Graduation
Lewis graduated cum laude from Florida Southern College as the Honor Walk Student and an NCAA Post-Graduate Grant recipient. This same year, he married his wife, Judith, marking the beginning of his transition from West Virginia to a life of legal service in Florida.
Judicial Appointment
Governor Lawton Chiles appointed Lewis to the state's highest court as his final judicial selection before his death. This appointment followed Lewis's 25-year career in private practice and established him as a key figure in Florida's judiciary.
Judicial Appointment
Governor Lawton Chiles appointed Lewis to the state's highest court as his final judicial selection before his death. This appointment followed Lewis's 25-year career in private practice and established him as a key figure in Florida's judiciary.
Program Launch
During his term as Chief Justice, Lewis founded this landmark initiative to pair legal professionals with every public school in the state. The program was designed to enhance civics education and ensure that Florida's youth understood their rights and responsibilities under the law.
Program Launch
During his term as Chief Justice, Lewis founded this landmark initiative to pair legal professionals with every public school in the state. The program was designed to enhance civics education and ensure that Florida's youth understood their rights and responsibilities under the law.
Award Ceremony
Lewis received the Sandra Day O'Connor National Award for Advancements in Civic Education. This honor recognized his tireless efforts to bring the legal system into the classroom and his commitment to public outreach.
Award Ceremony
Lewis received the Sandra Day O'Connor National Award for Advancements in Civic Education. This honor recognized his tireless efforts to bring the legal system into the classroom and his commitment to public outreach.
Academic Appointment
Following his mandatory retirement from the Florida Supreme Court, Lewis joined the faculty of his alma mater as the Eminent Professor of Law and Letters. This role allowed him to combine his judicial experience with his passion for teaching the next generation of scholars.
Academic Appointment
Following his mandatory retirement from the Florida Supreme Court, Lewis joined the faculty of his alma mater as the Eminent Professor of Law and Letters. This role allowed him to combine his judicial experience with his passion for teaching the next generation of scholars.
Richard Lewis passed away