aconverSationWithJudgeSuzanneLaBrit
Appellate Practice Section Chairs : JoeEagleton – BrannockHumphries & BermanandChanceLyman – BuchananIngersoll & Rooney
Sheisthorough , strategic , andanalytical , andshewill makeawonderfuladdition totheappellatebench .
After interviewing Judge Suzanne Labrit , I can tell she is an expert in humility . The newest judge on the Second District Court of Appeal was keener to congratulate me on my new job and ask how my transition from law school was going than to take credit for her recent appointment . As we discussed the path that led her to the bench , it became clear that humility has been a longtime staple of her personality . Only when I was confused by her career timeline did she mention , “ Oh yes , I left high school at 15 .”
“ You graduated high school when you were 15 years old ?” I asked , stunned as to how I had
Right : Judge Suzanne Labrit
missed that . “ Well , back then , colleges had early admission programs ,” she told me . “ If you tested reasonably well you could start early . I just happened to be a good test taker .” I learned quickly that Judge Labrit didn ’ t “ just happen ” to be anything — she is determined , tenacious , and hardworking .
After graduating from the University of Florida at 19 , Judge Labrit knew she wanted to go to law school , but she needed to regroup financially first . So , over the next two years , she worked as a secretary to save money before ultimately pursuing her J . D . at
Nova Southeastern . Her interests in law school were both reflective of her practical nature and indicative of her future role on the bench . The first-year fundamentals were her favorites . “ Reading the cases , understanding the holdings , putting it all together ,” that ’ s what she enjoyed most . Even today , she always goes back to basics : “ If you can break it down to the fundamental level , you have a good start on wherever you need to go .” Judge Labrit began her legal career at Rudin , later joining Squire Sanders & Dempsey , before moving
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