Shutts & Bowen LLP congratulates Suzanne Labrit, a partner in the firm’s Tampa office and Co-Chair of the firm’s  Appellate Practice Group, on her recent appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal by Governor Ron DeSantis.

The Second District was one of the original three district courts of appeal created in 1956. Today, it is one of five intermediate appellate courts in Florida, encompassing the Sixth, Tenth, Twelfth, Thirteenth and Twentieth Circuits, as well as 14 Counties. The purpose of Florida’s District Courts of Appeal is to provide the opportunity for thoughtful review of decisions of lower tribunals by multi-judge panels.

With more than 30 years of experience, Suzanne is one of fewer than 200 Florida attorneys who are Florida Bar Board Certified in Appellate Law, and has been with Shutts since 2003. Her practice has focused on complex commercial litigation, including class certification and class action settlement, and on her extensive appellate experience, which includes her handling of over 300 appeals involving diverse legal issues.

Michael J. (“Micky”) Grindstaff, firmwide Managing Partner at Shutts, thanked Suzanne for her 17 years of dedication to the firm and said, “Suzanne’s appointment to this esteemed judicial position speaks to her legal aptitude and the impact of her already distinguished career. Her commitment to the legal profession and her experience will now benefit the entire judicial system. We will miss her and wish her the very best.”

In agreement with Micky’s comments, Tampa Managing Partner R. Alan Higbee added, “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor. Suzanne is a brilliant appellate lawyer with immense and wide-ranging experience. She has been an incredible partner at Shutts and a wonderful friend to us all – we will miss her greatly, but could not be more proud of her as she takes her seat on the bench.”

About Shutts & Bowen LLP

Shutts & Bowen, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 300 lawyers in offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.