Shelby Highsmith

Shelby Highsmith

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Nonpartisan

Prior offices

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

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Education

Law

University of Kansas, 1958

Personal

Birthplace

Jacksonville, Fla.

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Shelby Highsmith was an Article III federal judge for United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He joined the court in 1991 after being nominated by President George H.W. Bush. Highsmith served on senior status at the time of his death on December 2, 2015.

Early life and education

A native of Florida, Highsmith graduated from Georgia Military College with his associate degree in 1949 before later graduating from the University of Kansas with his bachelor in laws degree in 1958. Highsmith served in the United States Army on active duty from 1949 to 1955. As an Army captain, he earned a Bronze Star Medal.

Professional career

Highsmith spent a considerable amount of time in his legal career as a private practice attorney licensed in Missouri from 1958 to 1959 and in Florida from 1959 to 1970. As a private practice attorney, Highsmith served as a chief legal adviser for the Governor's Task Force on Crime in Florida from 1967 to 1968. He was also a special counsel for the Florida (Horse) Racing Commission from 1969 to 1970 and served as a member of the Law Enforcement Planning Counsel for Florida from 1969 to 1970. In 1970, Highsmith became a circuit court judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida until 1975 when he spent the rest of his pre-judicial legal career in private practice in Florida until 1991.

Judicial career

Southern District of Florida

On the recommendation of U.S. Senator Connie Mack III, Highsmith was nominated by President George H.W. Bush on June 27, 1991, to a seat vacated by Thomas Scott, as Scott assumed senior status. Highsmith was confirmed by the Senate on September 12, 1991, and received commission on September 16, 1991. Highsmith assumed senior status on March 15, 2002. Highsmith was succeeded in this position by Cecilia Altonaga.

See also

• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

External links

• Judge Highsmith's Biography at the Federal Judicial Center

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by: Thomas Scott	Southern District of Florida 1991–2002 Seat #13	Succeeded by: Cecilia Altonaga