---
title: "James E.C. Perry | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-e-c-perry-4052"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# James E.C. Perry

Supreme Court of Florida · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Florida
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Supreme Court of Florida, 2009-present
- James E. C. Perry (1944–2026) was the 85th Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, serving from 2009 to 2016, and a pioneering African American judge in Florida’s judicial history
- In March 2009, Governor Charlie Crist appointed Perry to the Florida Supreme Court to replace Justice Charles T. Wells
- In 2000, Governor Jeb Bush appointed him circuit judge for Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit — the first African American to hold that seat
- Before joining the judiciary, Perry was senior partner at Perry & Hicks, P.A., specializing in civil and business law.

### Education

- Columbia Law School
- St. Augustine's University
- Columbia University
- Multiple NAACP awards and honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Stetson University and Nova Southeastern University.

### Additional information

- In 2024, Seminole County dedicated the James E. C. Perry Courthouse Annex in his honor.
- Served until December 30, 2016, reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70
- He held the role of Chief Judge from 2003 to 2005
- Perry’s legal career began with a federal lawsuit against the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners over alleged racial discrimination in the bar exam, filed in 1972.
- Date of birth: 1944-01-01
- He was also the founder and president of the Jackie Robinson Sports Association, creating the largest baseball league in the U.S. for at‐risk youth, with over 650 participants.
- He was active in NAACP legal work, community campaigns, and civic leadership
- His memoir, Benchmarked, chronicles his journey from the segregated South to the Florida Supreme Court
- Birth place: New Bern

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4052/james-ec-perry/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4052/james-ec-perry/)
- [Supreme Court of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4052/james-ec-perry/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4052/james-ec-perry/)
- [Wikidata: James E.C. Perry](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6133015)

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