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Akerman Senterfitt
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Akerman's Judge Joseph W. Hatchett and Judge Edward B. Davis Honored by Legal Community
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Akerman Senterfitt Shareholders, The Honorable Joseph W. Hatchett (Retired), and The Honorable Edward B. Davis (Retired) were honored this week for their contributions to the legal community. Judge Hatchett was honored as a South Florida Legal Legend by the 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society, for his outstanding contribution to the legal system or the administration of justice within the 11th Judicial Circuit for more than 25 years. Judge Davis was presented with the Anti-Defamation League Jurisprudence Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the legal profession and to the community at large, while working diligently to defend democratic ideals and to safeguard civil rights for all. Judge Hatchett is Chair of Akerman Senterfitt's Diversity Committee and head of its appellate division. He joined the firm after retiring as Chief Judge of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the last position of his 28-year career on the bench. In 2005, he was inducted into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame, in recognition of his more than 40 years of dedication to the cause of justice and equality before the courts of the United States of America, and on behalf of the African-American community. He was the first African American appointed to the highest court of a state since Reconstruction, when he was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in 1975. He became the first African American to serve on a federal appellate Court in the South when in 1979 President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Judge Davis is the Chair of the Litigation Practice at Akerman Senterfitt, and is a former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He has devoted a substantial part of his practice to national and international mediation and arbitration. During his 21-year tenure on the bench, he served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Judges Association, and was a member of its Executive Committee. He also served on the Judicial Council of the 11th Circuit and was a member of its Executive Committee. Judge Davis was a member of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administrative Office, and was appointed as Chair of that Committee by Chief Justice Rehnquist.

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