IN MEMORIAM: THE HONORABLE FREDERICK A. (“FRED”) HAZOURI

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The Fourth District Court of Appeal, with deep sadness, mourns the passing of our colleague, friend, and brother, the Honorable Frederick A. (“Fred”) Hazouri.  Judge Hazouri’s life was defined by integrity, service, and an unwavering commitment to justice.  Beyond his distinguished career, Judge Hazouri’s greatest legacy lies in the many lives which he touched though mentorship, education, and kindness.

 

Fred received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1965, and his law degree, with Honors, from the University of Florida in 1967.

 

In 1967, Fred began his career working as a law clerk on the Fourth District Court of Appeal.  He then worked in private practice for twenty-seven years, first with a longstanding West Palm Beach civil litigation firm, before launching his own successful civil litigation firm.  He became a board-certified trial lawyer who earned a reputation for demonstrating the highest level of skills and professionalism throughout his career.  He was a longtime member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, serving as its President from 1980-81.  He also was chosen for membership in the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and as a Diplomat of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

 

In 1995, Fred was appointed to serve as a Circuit Court Judge for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County.  In 1998, Judge Hazouri was appointed to serve as an Appellate Judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeal, returning to where he had begun his public service thirty-one years earlier.  He served on the Fourth District Court of Appeal for fifteen years until his retirement from public service in 2013.  He spent the remainder of his career serving as a civil litigation mediator in South Florida.

 

During his service on the appellate bench, Judge Hazouri authored nearly 500 opinions.  He was a valued Trial Skills instructor at both the Florida Judicial College and the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies.  He also served as a mentor to appellate judges, trial judges, law clerks, and attorneys throughout Florida.  He spent many years volunteering as an instructor and mentor in the Palm Beach County public schools system, teaching the virtues of the American justice system to students of all ages.

 

Judge Hazouri received the Florida Justice Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, and received the Craig S. Barnard American Inn of Court’s Outstanding Jurist Award in 2012.

 

Above all, Judge Hazouri was an admired and trusted colleague, friend, and brother to the judges and staff who had the honor of working with him, and a well-respected judge to the attorneys who had the privilege of appearing before him.  His wisdom, compassion, and devotion to public service will carry forward through the lives which he shaped and the lasting impact which he made on the community which he loved.

 

Judge Hazouri is survived by his beloved wife, former Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge and Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente, their children, grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

 

In tribute to Judge Hazouri’s honorable life and devoted public service, the Fourth District Court of Appeal’s flags were flown at half-staff from Monday, September 28, through Friday, October 2.  May Judge Hazouri’s memory be a blessing.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA AMENDMENTS TO THE LOCAL RULES NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND OF HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS

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The U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, has entered Administrative Order 2026-78 publishing proposed amendments to the Court’s Local Rules. A copy of Administrative Order 2026-78 and the proposed amendments can be found on our website, https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/ , under News & Announcements. Information about how to submit written comments or a notice of intention to provide oral comments on the proposed amendments also are on the website. An en banc public hearing on the proposed rule amendments will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 701 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM CELEBRATES FIVE YEAR MILESTONE

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15th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM CELEBRATES FIVE YEAR MILESTONE

(Image provided by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit – https://www.15thcircuit.com) 

The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit recently celebrated the conclusion of its annual summer judicial intern and law clerk intern program, marking five years of providing students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

This year’s program, which ran from June 1st through July 31st, included 10 undergraduate student interns and 5 law student interns, representing universities from both in and out of state. Through mentorship from judges and court administration staff, the students participated in activities including Lunch and Learns, panel discussions, field trips to local agencies and facilities, and courtroom observations.

The program, which was established in 2021 and inspired by a previous intern program, has always been focused on helping the next generation foster a deep understanding of the judicial system, while also showcasing diverse areas of practice.

“Under Amy Borman (former General Counsel), the Circuit had a long standing respected program, which ceased when she moved on to other opportunities,” said Judge Sherri Collins. “Judge Schosberg Feuer and I used that program as an inspiration. The new program evolved to include undergraduate students experiencing mentorship with judges and provide more exposure to potential practice areas for the aspiring attorneys. The goal is to help identify the type of law that sparks their passion and provide the tools to achieve a position in that field.”

Since its inception in 2021, the internship program has seen significant growth in interest from college students as well as opportunities offered throughout the program. In the early years, the program typically generated interest from about two dozen students. Now, on average, the Circuit receives over 100 submissions from all over the country during the open application period in December/January for the limited number of available spots.

“Our 15th Judicial Circuit summer internship program has grown and expanded since its inception 5 years ago,” said Judge Feuer. “We are fortunate to hire interns from schools around the country who are smart, motivated and committed to learning about the legal system, the jury trial system and the inner workings of the Palm Beach County Courthouse. The internship is a mutually beneficial mentoring relationship between the judges and the students, and we are proud of the impact we are having on our future lawyers and leaders.”

Ashlyn Darden, General Counsel for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, who works alongside Judge Feuer and Judge Collins in managing the law clerk student participants said “Our summer internship program offers law students something law school cannot replicate: an all-access look at the behind the scenes of the justice system. By working side-by-side with judges and court staff, our exceptional internship students
are not just learning the letter of the law—they are experiencing and seeing firsthand what it means to be an ethical, effective advocate and public servant.”

The success the program has seen in its first five years is a testament to the passion and dedication many of the Circuit’s judges and court staff have for mentoring the next generation and investing in their legal career aspirations. As the program moves forward, the Circuit remains committed to creating opportunities for students to engage directly with the judiciary, strengthen their professional skills and develop a deeper appreciation for the role courts play in the community.

EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS ENCOURAGED TO JOIN FLORIDA PRO BONO EFFORT

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A statewide effort is underway to engage emeritus lawyers in providing pro bono legal services throughout Florida. The initiative offers retired and inactive attorneys an opportunity to stay engaged, use their legal experience, and assist Floridians in need. Organizations are encouraged to share the opportunity with senior counsel, senior lawyers, corporate/in-house counsel, or other relevant groups. 

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