In Memory of John D.C. Newton, II
The FSU Law community mourns the passing of the Honorable John D.C. Newton, II ('77), Tallahassee, whose life and career left an indelible mark on Tallahassee and beyond.
Newton earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University. He dedicated the bulk of his legal career to public service: as a law clerk for a federal judge, a public defender, senior assistant attorney general in the Office of the Florida Attorney General, general counsel for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and finally a judge for the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.
Newton served as president of the Tallahassee Bar Association and was active in The Florida Bar, Legal Aid Foundation, Tallahassee Women Lawyers, and Legal Services of North Florida. He also taught Florida Administrative Law as an adjunct professor for FSU Law.
“John Newton had a splendid career as a lawyer and judge,” said United States District Judge Robert Hinkle. "He was precisely what we want our judges to be: conscientious, respectful, unbiased. And perhaps most important of all, a good person. He made the profession a little better than it would have been without him.”
Newton was a partner at Berger Singerman and a shareholder at Messer, Caparello, Madsen, Lewis & Goldman, P.A. While at Berger Singerman, his career intersected with one of the most important legal moments in modern American history. He served on the team of attorneys working for Vice President Al Gore during the historic Bush v. Gore legal battle in the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election.
FSU Law Dean and Professor Emeritus Don Weidner credits Newton for his return to sailing following his 25 years of serving as Dean. “It was impossible to not get swept up in John's sheer love of life, people, and of sailing. His approach to life was inspirational. John was an absolutely lovely guy; I’ll miss him very much."
Close friend and fellow attorney Cari Roth ('83) said Newton's real superpower was connecting people. “Untold numbers of jobs were obtained, help received, or friendships forged from a John connection. His network was wide, and he used it for good in so many ways,” says Roth.
Jennifer Heckman, FSU Law alumna and Employee Recruitment Director, shared, "I count myself lucky to be one of those friends. John was my next-door neighbor for close to 25 years, and our friendship, forged over years of front porch conversations, was a combination of mentorship, humor, and support. He spoiled my children with weekend donut delivery and later celebrated my move from private practice to FSU Law. His beloved alma mater was where, as he put it, he fell in love with the law. He told me what a great privilege it was to be part of a law student's journey."
Newton never hesitated to share the less glamorous side of his early career with young lawyers. As a public defender arguing his first case before the Florida Supreme Court, he fainted at the podium. “All the justices were kind and called to check on my wellbeing,” Newton said years later. “Now it’s a good story to share with new lawyers, just like Justice Adkins said it would be.”
"He served his community with humility. I was his campaign treasurer when he unsuccessfully ran for county judge. The day after the election, he stood on a busy corner waving a “Thank You” sign, grateful for the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. His opponent at the time, Leon County Circuit Judge Ron Flury ('93), remembers his professionalism and integrity, and added, 'more importantly than being a good lawyer and a good administrative law judge, he was a great dad. His daughter [Colleen] meant everything to him.'” Heckman concluded.
Newton embodied what FSU Law strives to instill in its graduates: professional excellence, public service, and deep commitment to community. His legacy lives on in the profession he served so faithfully and the many people he lifted up along the way.
- Tribute written by Jennifer Heckman, FSU Law alumna and Employee Recruitment Director