Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos G. Muñiz Teaching a New FSU Law Course

This fall, Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos G. Muñiz is teaching a new course, Textualism and its Rivals, at FSU Law. Using Scalia and Garner's Reading Law as the principal course book, students enrolled in the course will learn in depth about textualism, a dominant mode of statutory interpretation in federal and Florida courts today. Students will also learn about alternative approaches to statutory interpretation and how those approaches have been applied in case law. The course will challenge students to consider how statutory interpretation should be done and will equip them with practical knowledge that will make them more effective law clerks, advocates, and counselors.

Because the law school is located across the street from the Florida Supreme Court, FSU Law students have many unique opportunities to interact with justices. This is the third course Justice Muñiz is teaching and he is one of many Florida Supreme Court justices who have taught courses at the law school. Justice Ricky Polston, who has taught numerous classes at FSU, will also be teaching at the law school this fall. Justice Alan Lawson also regularly teaches and most recently taught during the spring 2021 semester.

“It’s been a great privilege to teach at the law school, and I’m looking forward to working with a new group of students this fall,” said Justice Muñiz.

Justice Muñiz was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court on January 22, 2019, becoming the 89th justice since statehood was granted in 1845. Prior to joining the court, he served as the presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed general counsel of the United States Department of Education. He also was in private practice and had an extensive career in Florida state government.

Published on August 6, 2021