Fla. Supreme Court Press Release:

TALLAHASSEE –

With his roots in Lakeland, Justice Charles T. Canady’s career has led him into public service in all three branches of state government and in the U.S. House of Representatives. Today he was unanimously named Chief Justice‑Elect of Florida by his six colleagues.

"It is an honor and a privilege to serve the public," said Canady, 55, "and especially working with so many outstanding Florida public servants through the years, including my fellow Justices. I thank them for their trust in me and look forward to serving the people of Florida in this new capacity."

Canady will become Florida's 54th Chief Justice since statehood, and his two-year term will begin July 1. Under the state Constitution, the Chief Justice serves as the chief administrative officer of the entire state courts system.

He said he will continue the work of his predecessor, Justice Peggy A. Quince, in bringing the state courts system through the problems created by the ongoing recession.

“Court staff positions have been cut to bare-bones levels,” said Canady, “and this has happened at a time when caseloads in some areas – especially foreclosures – have risen dramatically. I will work with the legislature to ensure that the courts are adequately funded.”

Canady graduated from Haverford College in 1976 and then went on to Yale Law School, receiving his degree there in 1979. He was in private practice from 1979 through 1992.

In November 1984, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, serving three terms through November 1990. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 1993 through January 2001, and his assignments included membership on the House Judiciary Committee and Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution.

After leaving Congress, Canady became General Counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush, who later appointed him to Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal in November 2002.

On August 28, 2008, Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Canady to the Florida Supreme Court, where he took office on September 8, 2008. Canady is married to Jennifer Houghton and is the father of two children.

His web biography can found at:
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/justices/canady.shtml