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The Trial Lawyers Section was once again proud to welcome over 100 middle and high school teachers from all over the state to our Teachers’ Law Symposium. This annual, two-day seminar educates teachers about the legal and judicial systems and encourages them to expose their students to the importance of the Constitution and an independent judiciary. Teachers are given tools to educate their students concerning the federal and state courts and the legislative process.

Last week, highly respected and experienced judges and lawyers from around the state of Florida, who live and work with the law daily, shared the realities of the practice of law and how and why our justice system works the way that it does to protect our individual rights. Those selected to participate learned about the inner workings of our court system and the impact it has on our businesses and our individual lives.

As part of our goal to provide education to the public about the role of lawyers, judges and courts in Florida, we provided presentations on the First Amendment, the role of State and Federal Courts, Teaching Financial Literacy, and the History of the Legal System.

The Teachers’ Law Symposium was inspired by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who since her retirement in 2006 has devoted herself to improving civics education. In 2010, the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Education Act became law in Florida, requiring that civic education content be included in the K-12 language arts curriculum. In 2019, Gov. DeSantis brought a renewed focus on elevating civic knowledge, civics skills and civic disposition for middle and high school students by bolstering support for a new debate program and implementing a civics exam.

Thanks to all the teachers from around Florida who attended and to our special guests who helped make it happen!