Florida Supreme Court Clerk John Tomasino Named 2025 Recipient of the James C. Adkins Award
The Appellate Practice Section is proud to announce that Florida Supreme Court Clerk John Tomasino is the recipient of the 2025 James C. Adkins Award. The Adkins Award honors a member of The Florida Bar who has made significant contributions to Florida appellate practice.
Clerk Tomasino was nominated by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz, judges from each of the District Courts of Appeal, and all six DCA Clerks of Court. Their joint nomination highlights Clerk Tomasino’s exceptional leadership, innovation, and service since his appointment in 2013.
Throughout his tenure, Clerk Tomasino has led transformative efforts to modernize and streamline Florida’s appellate courts. He spearheaded a multi-year, statewide initiative to implement a unified appellate case management system—enhancing access, transparency, and efficiency for attorneys and the public alike. His efforts have enabled attorneys to manage appellate cases statewide through a single account, improved electronic service of court orders, and increased public access to court records.
Beyond technology, Clerk Tomasino has actively contributed to the appellate community. He has participated in numerous CLE programs hosted by the Section, providing insight about Florida Supreme Court practice to many appellate practitioners. He has served as a valued resource to the Appellate Court Rules Committee, offering his expertise on procedural rulemaking that affects appellate practice statewide. He has also supported appellate clerks across the state by providing training and promoting best practices. He is a calm and customer-service oriented presence at the Court. He consistently approaches his role with a strong
sense of service to the public and the appellate bar, recognizing that our pursuit of justice includes upholding both the reality and the appearance of fairness and competence on behalf of our clients.
One more note on technology. Clerk Tomasino’s nominators noted that Justice Adkins’s official biography states that he began his legal career in 1938 as the Court’s only research assistant—hired in part simply because he knew how to type. His story underscores the longstanding connection between technology and appellate innovation, a legacy Clerk Tomasino continues today. Clerk Tomasino’s vision, expertise, and unwavering dedication to improving Florida appellate practice make him a most deserving recipient of the Adkins award.
Samuel Alexander Named 2025 Recipient of the John R. Hamilton Pro Bono Award
The Appellate Practice Section is proud to recognize Samuel Alexander, outgoing Co-Chair of the Section’s Pro Bono Committee, as the 2025 recipient of the John R. Hamilton Pro Bono Award. This award honors a Section member who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to expanding access to justice through pro bono appellate work.
Sam has served on the Pro Bono Committee for several years, where he has been a driving force in improving how the Section responds to requests for appellate assistance. Recognizing the need for structure and efficiency, Sam designed and implemented a formal intake system to help the Committee manage pro bono requests in a consistent and streamlined way.
As the number of requests grew, Sam led the Section’s efforts to partner with legal aid organizations across Florida—ensuring that individuals in need could still access appellate representation while freeing volunteers from time-consuming administrative work. This strategic shift has allowed the Section to provide more meaningful and targeted assistance, in line with its mission to serve the public good.
Sam has also generously contributed his time and dollars to support events and CLEs that promote and celebrate pro bono service, including programming with the Guardian ad Litem Program and initiatives to recognize outstanding volunteer attorneys. He has also volunteered his own time to taking on many pro bono appeals over the course of his career.
Through his leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to service, Sam has significantly advanced the Section’s pro bono efforts and helped build a stronger, more sustainable framework for appellate pro bono work in Florida.
APS is honored to present him with this well-deserved recognition.
