Joseph Lewis, Jr at a glance
- Current role
- District Court of Appeal Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joseph Lewis, Jr
District Court of Appeal Judge · Florida First District Court of Appeal
Biography
Professional career
- The KnowJudges profile corresponds to Judge Joseph Lewis Jr. of the Florida First District Court of Appeal, born January 6, 1953 in Tallahassee, Florida, serving since 2001, former Chief Judge (2013–2015), and long‐time public lawyer and appellate jurist
- Judge, Florida First District Court of Appeal (2001–present)
- Applied in 2002 to fill Justice Leander Shaw’s seat; not selected
- Bureau Chief, Employment Litigation/Civil Litigation Section, Florida Attorney General's Office (1995-2000)
- Senior Attorney, General Civil Litigation Section, Florida Attorney General's Office (1981-1995)
- Assistant Public Defender, Florida's Second Judicial Circuit (1978-1981)
- Notable distinction: Second African‐American judge to serve on the First District Court of Appeal
Education
- Florida State University — J.D. (1977)
- University of Montana — B.S. (1974)
Additional information
- Master Judge, First District Appellate American Inn of Court (2013–2015)
- Assumed office: January 2, 2001
- Florida Bar Meritorious Public Service Award (2000)
- Multiple community service awards (1994–1997)
- Claude Pepper Outstanding Government Lawyer Award (1995)
- Judicial Research Aide, Florida Industrial Relations Commission (1977-1978).
- Date of birth: 1953-01-06
- Appointed by: Governor Jeb Bush
- He has also served on numerous Florida Bar committees and judicial administration groups
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media And Still Photography
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.
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 allowedFlorida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Florida First District Court of Appeal
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 12, 2026.
Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗