Florida's newest Supreme Court Justice has deep roots in Tallahassee

When former appellate Judge C. Alan Lawson is sworn in Wednesday as the Florida Supreme Court’s 86th justice, the ceremony not only marks a milestone in his legal career, it will be a testament to the Tallahassee role models he encountered along the way.

Lawson, 55, credits the late Leon High School journalism teacher Judy Steverson with teaching him confidence in addressing important people and finding ease in asking "tough questions."

He credits being in the late Iona Smith’s class in logic and rhetoric at Leon for exposing him to Aristotle and Plato and the value of thought.

It was at Tallahassee Community College that a class in business law taught by former Supreme Court Justice Fred Karl helped him crystallize his chosen profession.

“It’s a little bit surreal having lived in the shadows of these important buildings in downtown Tallahassee, where the heads of government reside,” Lawson said, sitting in his chamber office.

“Growing up, I was awed by it. I haven’t lost the sense of gratitude and awe of knowing that I’m here. It’s certainly not something I envisioned as a kid growing up in Tallahassee.”

'Always unflappable'

Lawson’s family moved to Tallahassee when he was 2. His father, Charles Alan Lawson, worked as the Florida Interstate Compact administrator in the Florida Probation and Parole Commission. His mother, Velma, was a registered nurse at Tallahassee Memorial.

They lived in Tallahassee’s Town and Country neighborhood, between Old Bainbridge Road and North Monroe Street.

Dr. Alex “Steve” Steverson, owner of Bradfordville Animal Hospital, grew up with Lawson. His father, Alex Steverson Sr. and Lawson’s father were bunkmates in the Army.

Steverson and Lawson both attended First Baptist Church downtown.

“He was always prepared, always unflappable,” said Steverson, a nephew of Judy Steverson’s. “His comments were always thoughtful. He never seemed to be out of sorts; always in control and steady.”

Steverson remembers the two of them working at the church’s summer camp.

“He would challenge kids to ask him any question and he would answer,” he said. “That was pretty bold.”

The popular high-school hangout at the time was Barnaby’s Pizza, then on North Monroe Street.

“Alan drove an old beat up Mazda pickup. It broke down on us a couple of times.”

Steverson said he wasn’t surprised his friend chose law as a career. He was a deep thinker and a natural wordsmith.

“He is the epitome of what I see a good judge being.”

Hardworking and humble

Lawson entered Tallahassee Community College and earned an associate's in science degree with honors and his EMT certification. He enrolled at Clemson University, where in 1983 he graduated with a degree in parks and recreation and tourism management, with an emphasis on natural resource management.

After graduating with honors, he returned to Tallahassee. He worked briefly for the Gadsden County ambulance service before beginning law school at FSU. In addition to Karl, he also was influenced by the late Tallahassee attorney Bill Roberts.

“I was fascinated by his career and Judge Karl’s career,” Lawson said. “I think they were the main two influences.

“Getting a law degree would open up a lot of options,” he said.

Current Supreme Court Justice Ricky Polston was in the same class with Lawson, who graduated second in his class.

“Alan and I go all the way back to FSU law school when he impressed all of us, including the professors, with the sharpness of his intellect and his willingness to go the extra mile,” Polston said. “We are very fortunate to have him here.”

Tallahassee attorney Eric Prutsman met Lawson 33 years ago in law school. They remain close friends today.

“I remember him getting A’s in nearly every class,” Prutsman said. “He worked hard, studied and was the guy who always got the top scores on exams, but was humble about it.”

In 1987, Lawson graduated from FSU’s College of Law in May, got married in June, sat for the Florida Bar in July and began working for the Steel Hector & Davis law firm in August.

He and his wife, Julie, have two adult children, Caleb, 28, who is a small business owner in Orlando; and daughter, Leah, a singer and songwriter in Nashville.

Julie Lawson is a board member with The Women of My Hope, a Louisiana-based organization that provides assistance to impoverished women in Honduras. Lawson also has been active with the organization.

“(Justice Lawson) and his wife Julie have sacrificed for many years to serve as missionaries in Honduras,” said Jason Gonzalez, Tallahassee managing partner of the Shutts & Bowen Law Firm and state chairman of the Federalist Society, a conservative lawyers group.

“They have quite literally changed the lives of children with serious medical conditions,” he said.

A defender of the Constitution

Lawson, who is a favorite among conservative court observers, joins Polston and Justice Charles Canady who are considered the court’s minority conservative voices. It is widely speculated he will become the court’s next chief justice.

Lawson had applied for nomination to the Supreme Court twice, including 2008 when Gov. Charlie Crist appointed James E.C. Perry to the bench.

He now replaces Perry, who retired in December.

In appointing Lawson, Gov. Rick Scott said, “Throughout his career, Justice Lawson has focused on defending the Constitution, strictly adhering to the role of the law and not legislating from the bench.”

Lawson is Scott’s first appointment to the court which has been criticized by the governor in its rulings against the state.

Lawson scoffs at justices being labeled conservative or liberal. He said it is more accurate to describe him as a “textualist.”

“Legal philosophy doesn’t come into play in most cases a judge will see,” he said. “We are mostly applying facts to the clear law. Usually, that law is not an issue. It’s really like an umpire calling balls and strikes. You try to reach a ruling that is fair and impartial.

“The people gave power to the government through (the Constitution). The conservative approach is to follow the text.”

Former FSU President Sandy D’Alemberte, was dean of FSU’s College of Law when Lawson attended.

“He is a very smart guy and that’s a good starting point place for a judge,” D’Alemberte said.

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.

Investiture service Wednesday

The investiture ceremony for Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Florida Supreme Court Building, 500 S. Duval St.

For the first time in its history, a Judicial Processional of more than 50 black-robed judges from throughout Florida will be formally seated by the Supreme Court Marshal.

Gov. Rick Scott will present Lawson’s credentials to Chief Justice Jorge Labarga. Legislative leaders also are expected to attend.

The ceremony will be broadcast live statewide by the Florida Channel. It is open to the public and overflow crowds are expected. Rooms with closed circuit video of the ceremony will be available.

Career highlights:

Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson, 55, graduated from Leon High School and then attended Tallahassee Community College.

He then went to Clemson University and then returned to Tallahassee, where he attended Florida State University’s College of Law, graduating in May 1987.

His first job was with the Miami and Tallahassee offices of Steel Hector & Davis. He joined the Orange County Attorney’s Office in Orlando.

Lawson was appointed to the Orange County state circuit court in 2002. In 2006, he joined the Fifth District Court of Appeal based in Daytona Beach and later served as its chief judge for 2015-2016.