Hon. James R. Wolf (Retired)

(850) 877-1028
jamesrwolf1881@gmail.com

Biographical Notes:

Jim graduated from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He earned a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and a Masters of the Judicial Process from the University of Virginia. He served as a judge on the First District Court of Appeal of Florida for 30 years, having authored hundreds of opinions in civil, worker’s compensation, administrative and criminal law. He received special assignments to handle civil and criminal matters on the Circuit and County Court bench. For 12 years, he also served on the Judicial Qualifications Commission with two terms as chair.

Before being appointed to the bench he was General Counsel for the Florida League of Cities, a private practitioner, city attorney, and Assistant State Attorney. In these positions he tried numerous civil and criminal jury cases as well as cases before administrative boards and Administrative Law Judges. As general counsel of the League of Cities he also supervised litigation for Florida Municipal Liability and Worker’s Compensation Funds.

Mr. Wolf is now Florida Supreme Court Certified in both Circuit Civil and Appellant mediations.

Community and Academic Involvement:

Adjunct Professor of Florida Constitutional Law and Local Government Law at Florida State University. Guest lecture at several Eastern European Universities.  Author of 4 law review articles.

Charter member and first president of the First District Appellate Inn of Court.  Alumni member and past president of the William Stafford Inn of Court. Chair and executive council member of the Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Past member of the Board of Directors, Tallahassee Jewish Federation. Participant in literacy and Justice teaching programs for elementary school children. Volunteer at Second Harvest of the Big Bend Foodbank.

Personal:

Jim is married to JoLen Rawls Wolf and they have one daughter.  He loves doing crosswords with his wife, walking their dog, and watching all sports especially baseball and college football.

Extensive References Available Upon Request.