Tallahassee U.S. Courthouse Renamed During Ceremony

The U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Tallahassee was officially renamed the Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, in recognition of the civil rights pioneer and former Florida Supreme Court Justice.

The ceremony was held on June 30 at 11 a.m., and was open to the public.

“Judge Hatchett was a role model for both the Bench and the Bar – a patriot who served the public with honor, humility, and integrity,” said  Chief Judge William H. Pryor.

After serving his country in the U.S. Army, Judge Hatchett went on to serve as a federal prosecutor, federal magistrate judge, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, and federal circuit judge, including two years as chief circuit judge.

“Throughout his career, he was a trailblazer,” said Pryor. “He was the first black federal prosecutor in Florida, the first black state supreme court justice in the Deep South since Reconstruction, and the first black judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and later on the Eleventh Circuit. Our Court and nation owe him a debt of gratitude.”

The ceremony featured the presentation of colors by the Leon High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Judge Hatchett’s great grandsons Jordyn Jean and Jackson W. Green, and songs performed by Lililita “Lili” Forbes.

Remarks by U.S. Congressman Neal P. Dunn; Judge William H. Pryor Jr., Chief Judge U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit; Judge Charles R. Wilson, Circuit Judge U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit; Jason Shelton, Southeast Sunbelt Regional Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration; Scott A. Meyers, Chairman and CEO, Akerman, LLP; and Roscoe A. Green, Esquire, were also be featured.

The Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building is located at 111 North Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301.