Chief Justice Ricky Polston

Hometown - Graceville, Florida 

Spouse - Deborah Ehler Polston 

Children - Ten (Adoptive parents of sibling group of 6)

Degrees - J.D. with High Honors, Florida State University, 1986; B.S., Summa Cum Laude, Florida State University, 1977; A.A., Chipola Jr. College, 1975.

Offices and Positions - Justice, Florida Supreme Court, October 2, 2008-present; Judge, First District Court of Appeal, January 2, 2001-October 1, 2008; Private Law Practice 1987- 2000; Adjunct Law Professor, Florida State University 2003-present; Certified Public Accountant 1978-present; Public Accounting Practice 1977-1984.

Legal Activities - Member, The Florida Bar. Admitted to practice before United States District Court, Northern District of Florida; United States District Court, Middle District of Florida; United States District Court, Southern District of Florida; United States Tax Court; United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; United States Court of Federal Claims; United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; United States Supreme Court. Certified Circuit Court Mediator (1997-2003). Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee (2003 - 2006).

Other Honors and Awards - Florida State University Most Outstanding Accounting Student, 1977; Beta Alpha Psi Honorary Accounting Society, 1977; Florida State University College of Law, Law Review 1985-86; Order of Coif.

Legal Recognitions and Associations - Martindale-Hubbell AV rating and Bar Register Preeminent Attorneys; Tallahassee Bar Association; Tallahassee Inn of Court (alumni, former Treasurer); Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, Treasurer (2006 - 2008).

Other Activities - Prior Church leadership, including being an elder, deacon and Chairman of Deacons, teacher of various student and adult classes; member, Florida Institute of C.P.A.'s; American Institute of C.P.A.'s.

Justice Polston's phone number is (850) 488-2361. His judicial assistant is Tamara L. Adkins, and his staff attorneys are Diane Cashin West, and Jessica Slatten. The mailing address is 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee FL 32399-1925.

All inquiries about this page: publicinformation@flcourts.org 

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the Justices of the Florida Supreme Court to discuss pending cases with the public.  Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Justice about any case.  If you have a comment to make, please mail it to the Clerk's Office at 500 S. Duval St., Tallahassee FL 32399.  However, the Court is only allowed to consider arguments made in the courtroom and in documents properly filed by actual parties in the case as authorized by law and the Rules of Court.  The Court cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case. Communications that do not meet these legal requirements cannot be forwarded to the Justices.