News

Chief Justice Charles T. Canady to give first lecture on Oct. 28

LAKELAND, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2011) – Florida Southern College announced today that it is launching a new lunch and lecture series, “Legally Speaking,” that will run throughout the academic year and will feature Supreme Court of Florida Chief Justice Charles T. Canady as its first speaker.

The lunch and lecture with Chief Justice Canady will begin at noon on Friday, October 28 in the Thrift Alumni Room on Florida Southern’s campus. The cost is $20.00 per person and includes lunch, the lecture, valet parking, time for questions and answers, and a meet and greet.

The series is being sponsored by the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and is intended to bring together members of the legal community, professionals, students and the public for meaningful discussions about timely legal issues facing society.

“Not only will this series greatly enhance the college’s pre-law program by exposing our students to members of the legal profession, but it will also provide an opportunity for students across all disciplines to learn from and connect with professionals in the greater Lakeland community,” said Dr. Cindy Hardin, professor of business administration and “Legally Speaking” lecture series coordinator at Florida Southern College. “We’re very excited to launch this series at Florida Southern College.”

Future dates for series lectures have been announced for December 2nd, January 27th, February 24th, and March 23rd. For more information on the “Legally Speaking” series or to RSVP for the lecture with Chief Justice Canady, contact (863) 680-4280 or lberardicurti@flsouthern.edu

More about Chief Justice Charles T. Canady…Chief Justice Charles Canady was born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1954. He received his B.A. from Haverford College in 1976 and his J.D. from the Yale Law School in 1979. Justice Canady practiced law with the firm of Holland and Knight in Lakeland from 1979 through 1982. He practiced with the firm of Lane, Trohn, et al., from 1983 through 1992.

Beginning in 1984, Justice Canady served three terms in the Florida House of Representatives, and beginning in 1993 he served four terms in the United States House of Representatives. Throughout his service in Congress, Justice Canady was a member of the House Judiciary Committee. He also served as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. Upon leaving Congress, Justice Canady became General Counsel to Governor Jeb Bush. He was appointed by Governor Bush to the Second District Court of Appeal beginning November 2002. On August 28, 2008, Justice Canady was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Charlie Crist and took office on September 8, 2008. He will serve as Chief Justice of the Court from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2012. Justice Canady is married to Jennifer Houghton, and they have two children.