James E. C. Perry

Perry was born in 1944. He attended St. Augustine's College, graduating in 1966 with a bachelor of arts in business administration and accounting. After serving in the United States Army as a first lieutenant, he went on to Columbia Law School where he earned his juris doctor degree in 1972. He was founder and president of the Jackie Robinson Sports Association, a baseball league serving 650 at-risk girls and boys.

Before joining the state's highest court, Perry served as a circuit judge of Florida's Eighteenth Judicial Circuit following his appointment by Governor Jeb Bush in March 2000. He later served as chief judge of the circuit for a two-year term beginning July 2003. He was the first African-American appointed to the eighteenth judicial circuit. Following his appointment to the circuit court bench, Perry ran unopposed to retain his seat.

He was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Supreme Court of Florida in March 2009 to replace retiring Justice Charles T. Wells and was Crist's fourth appointment to the Supreme Court. Perry is the 85th justice to take office at the Florida Supreme Court since statehood was granted in 1845.

Perry was barred from running for retention in 2016 due to the State Constitution's mandatory retirement age restrictions and was due to leave office on January 3, 2017, at the end of his term. However, on September 12, 2016, Perry notified Governor Rick Scott of his intention to retire on December 30, 2016.[1] He was succeeded by Justice C. Alan Lawson.

• List of African-American jurists

The Florida Bar News, "Perry joins the court," April 1, 2009, p. 1.

• Florida Supreme Court Profile
• Governor Crist's Press Release
• Columbia Law School Alumni Article