By: Raghad Hamad
FSU Law honored alumna Pat Gleason (’76) of Tallahassee, Florida, with the Exemplary Lifetime Public Service Award in 2025. This award recognizes a Florida State University College of Law graduate who has dedicated their career to public service and who has demonstrated exceptional character, integrity, humility, and professionalism, as well as the highest regard for ethics.
Pat Gleason serves as Special Counsel for Open Government in the Florida Attorney General’s Office. Her distinguished career in public service spans more than four decades. As the lead author of Florida’s “Sunshine Manual” for over 20 years, Gleason has shaped the daily operations of countless government agencies by providing clear, reliable guidance on public records and meetings.
As one of her many nominators noted, "Her role as Special Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office was defined not only by her legal expertise but by her extraordinary commitment to personalized service in helping individuals understand complex law."
Q: Why did you choose FSU Law?
A: Initially, my plan was to attend Vanderbilt Law School, where I had already been admitted. However, after receiving a scholarship and legislative internship opportunity in Tallahassee, I decided to defer my admission for a year. Once I started the internship, I realized it would cover most of my tuition, so I enrolled part-time at FSU Law while working full-time. After spending some time at Vanderbilt, I returned to FSU to finish my degree and soon realized it was the right fit for me. FSU Law offered exactly what I needed to pursue a career in government—practical courses, valuable experience, and opportunities that directly supported my goals. Looking back, I’m very grateful I chose FSU Law; it gave me both the education and foundation for a fulfilling career in public service.
Q: Walk us through your career journey.
A: When I graduated from FSU College of Law, I was hired by the Florida Attorney General’s Office right away. I started as a research assistant and then became an Assistant Attorney General in the Opinions Division, which at that time handled both Attorney General opinions and key state litigation. It was a wonderful opportunity, and I was fortunate to work with Sharyn Smith, the section chief, who involved me in developing the very first Sunshine Manual. I later transitioned to the Administrative Law section, where I represented regulatory boards and eventually became section head. During the 1980s, I served as Chief Cabinet Aide, helping prepare for meetings of the Governor and Cabinet. In the 1990s, Attorney General Bob Butterworth asked me to focus on open government work and the Sunshine Manual, which became the heart of my career. I also began conducting training and presentations to help others understand Florida’s open government laws. After a brief period in the Governor’s Office from 2007-11, I returned to the Attorney General’s Office, where I continue to serve as Special Counsel for Open Government. It’s been a rewarding journey.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering going into law school, and current law students?
A: I’ve really enjoyed the work I do, and I want to encourage any law students who are interested in Florida’s open government laws to consider working in a public agency. There are numerous opportunities to learn, write, and make a difference in this field. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people understand their rights under these laws—and to help government lawyers better appreciate and apply them as well. My advice to law students is to take every opportunity to intern or volunteer in a government law office, whether it’s the State Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, or another agency. FSU Law does a wonderful job offering these kinds of opportunities, and I encourage students to take full advantage of them. Even if you’re unsure about a career in public service, an internship is the perfect way to find out if it’s the right path for you. It certainly was for me. Over your career, how have you seen public access to government records and meetings evolve, and what challenges remain? I think this is a situation where opportunities and challenges go hand in hand. When I first started, most records were paper documents stored in filing cabinets. Over the years, the shift to electronic access and digital records has grown tremendously. On one hand, that’s created opportunities—many agencies are choosing to place records online, so they can be easily accessed by the public. But it’s also brought new challenges, particularly when it comes to balancing the costs of properly securing those records, especially confidential records, and providing public access to records.
Q: Writing the Sunshine Manual for over 20 years, what do you hope your work has contributed to Florida's government and its citizens?
A: The Sunshine Manual is used by all three branches of government, as well as by private individuals. Florida’s open government laws are broad and being part of the Attorney General’s Office’s efforts to make those laws understandable and accessible to the public has been deeply meaningful. I believe that helping people learn about and understand these laws is essential to ensuring they can exercise their rights under them. Over the years, the training materials developed by the Attorney General’s Office have played an important role in supporting that goal.
Q: How do you measure success in a career devoted to public service, and what inspired you to pursue a career in it?
A: For me, success in public service is measured by the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives. Every day, I get to help government lawyers do their best work and assist members of the public in understanding the laws that affect them. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing how that guidance can truly help someone. I was inspired early on by my colleagues, who showed me that public service is both a privilege and a purpose. They reaffirmed that working in the Attorney General’s Office—and serving the public—is exactly where I’m meant to be.