First Cuban-American To Serve As Chief Justice of FL Supreme Court
CBSMiami (CBSMiami) – The first Cuban-American to serve as chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court will take the post July 1, the court announced Thursday.
As chief justice, Jorge Labarga will preside over court sessions and serve as the chief administrative officer of the state courts system.
The other six justices voted unanimously Wednesday to select Labarga as chief justice for a two-year term, succeeding Chief Justice Ricky Polston.
The position rotates among justices.
Labarga, 61, was born in Cuba and came to the United States at age 11.
A University of Florida law-school graduate, Labarga served as a circuit judge in Palm Beach County before being appointed to the Supreme Court in January 2009.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.