The Florida Constitutional Law Endowment, a tribute to the esteemed Justice Ben F. Overton, stands as a lasting legacy at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. Established in 2013 by Judge Karen Miller, this fund actively supports enriching lectures and presentations delivered by Justices of the Florida Supreme Court, directly benefiting law students and fostering a deeper understanding of the state’s legal framework.
A Legacy Rooted in Education and Service
Justice Overton’s connection to the University of Florida is profound and enduring. After earning both his Bachelor of Science in 1951 and Juris Doctor in 1952 from the university, he achieved the distinction of becoming the first merit appointment to the Florida Supreme Court. His commitment to legal education was unwavering; he served as an Adjunct Professor at the Levin College of Law until December 2012, just before his passing. Despite residing at Oak Hammock, a retirement community affiliated with UF, Justice Overton considered the Florida Supreme Court his professional home, yet maintained a strong tie to Gainesville and the university. A highlight of his later years was bringing Florida Supreme Court Justices to Gainesville and providing his students with invaluable firsthand experience by taking them to Tallahassee to witness oral arguments at the Supreme Court. This dedication to bridging the gap between academia and practical law deeply influenced Judge Miller’s decision to create the endowment.
Judge Karen Miller’s own distinguished career provides context to her commitment to legal education. With a B.S. cum laude from New York University (1974) and a Juris Doctor from New York Law School (1977), she served as Chief Administrative Law Judge for the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. Her retirement to Oak Hammock at the University of Florida brought her into close contact with Justice Overton and his passion for student engagement. Having participated in his trips to Tallahassee and welcomed Supreme Court Justices alongside him, Judge Miller recognized the vital importance of these interactions. Her endowment ensures the Levin College of Law can sustain and expand this crucial connection between students and the Florida Supreme Court for generations to come.
The Genesis of the Overton Lecture Series
Judge Miller recalls a pivotal conversation that sparked the idea for the endowment and the lecture series it supports. Shortly after Justice Overton’s death, she and Justice Barbara Pariente discussed a fitting memorial at a dinner hosted by then Dean Robert Jerry and Lisa Jerry. Justice Pariente, a former colleague of Justice Overton on the Florida Supreme Court, understood his deep commitment to student engagement with the Court. She proposed the concept that evolved into the Overton lectures. Dean Jerry and later Dean Emeritus Jon Mills were immediately supportive, ensuring the lecture series’ establishment. Following Dean Mills’ retirement, Professor Timothy McClendon, who previously assisted Justice Overton and Dean Mills in teaching Florida Constitutional Law and co-authored a casebook on the subject, has continued to lead the Overton lectures with the support of Interim Dean Merritt McAlister and CGR director, Professor Danaya Wright, demonstrating the enduring collaborative spirit behind this initiative.
The Overton Lecture Series stands as a testament to Justice Overton’s multifaceted legacy as a jurist, educator, and ethical leader within Florida’s legal community. By bringing Florida Supreme Court Justices to the University of Florida Levin College of Law, the series provides students with unique insights into the inner workings of the highest court in the state. The Center for Governmental Responsibility (CGR) and the students of the College of Law express their sincere gratitude to Judge Karen Miller for her vision and generosity in establishing the Overton Lectures, ensuring their continuation in perpetuity.
For further exploration of Justice Overton’s life and career, an interview conducted by Mary Adkins, professor emeritus at UF Levin College of Law, for the Florida Historical Society is available here. Additionally, a transcript of Justice Overton’s interview for the Samuel Proctor Oral History Project can be accessed at the Smathers Library and online here. Justice Overton’s impact extends to landmark legal concepts; he served on the Constitution Revision Commission of 1977-78, which proposed the right to privacy in the Florida Constitution. Although initially unsuccessful, this provision, co-sponsored by Jon Mills, was later adopted in 1980. Justice Overton further solidified this right by concurring in a 1989 reproductive rights case, affirming its inclusion of abortion rights. While this decision was later overruled, the historical context and Justice Overton’s role, alongside Jon Mills, are detailed here. The Florida Constitutional Law Endowment and the Overton Lecture Series serve as living memorials to Justice Overton’s profound and lasting contributions to Florida law and legal education.
