Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO DISCUSS Naming a wing of the Seventeenth Judicial Court of Florida after the late Thomas J. (TJ) Reddick, Jr., prominent attorney, and namesake of the TJ Reddick Bar Association, established in 1982. (Commissioner Holness)

ACTION:  (T-3:09 PM)  Following discussion, the Board approved naming a wing of the Seventeenth Judicial Court of Florida after the late Thomas J. (TJ) Reddick, Jr., with an item to be brought back to the Board shortly after the 1st of the year.  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)

VOTE: 7-0.  Dr. Sharief was not present at the time of the vote. 

Allows the Board of Commissioners to discuss naming a wing of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida after the late Thomas J. (TJ) Reddick, Jr.

An open and transparent dialogue amongst Board members.

On November 12, 1982, a group of attorneys formed the TJ Reddick Bar Association because minorities were not being afforded equal access into law firms as attorneys, partners, court appointments in civil or criminal cases, appointments to judgeships, and did not receive respect as attorneys in Broward County, Florida. The attorneys named the Association after Thomas J. (TJ) Reddick, Jr., the first Black attorney to open an office and practice law in Broward County, the first Black attorney appointed to the Broward County Court of Record, and the first Black person elected to serve as Circuit Court Judge in the State of Florida. Although Judge Reddick passed away on July 28, 1993, his legacy lives on with the TJ Reddick Bar Association which works to increase the enrollment of minority students in college and law school, promote the professional excellence of Black lawyers in Broward County, and provide economic scholarships to students at local law schools.

This board item allows the Commission to discuss the possibility of honoring Judge Reddick’s many contributions to the legal field and Broward County by naming a wing of the Seventeenth Judicial Court of Florida after him.

Heidi Richards, Chief of Staff, District 9, 954-357-7009