Former Judge Paul Hawkes: Blessed with Opportunity

Former Judge Paul Hawkes understands how blessed he is to have had the opportunity to serve in public office. An admirer of Jeb Bush and of Governor Bush’s personal commitment to public service, former Judge Paul Hawkes has, time and again, had the opportunity to serve in important public service positions; positions that have allowed him to serve his state, his governor and his constituents with the utmost in honor and integrity.

Former Judge Paul Hawkes career in politics, and in the law, began shortly after graduating With Honors from the Florida State University Law School. He enthusiastically served Florida as an Assistant State Attorney, in 1990 he was elected to serve in the Florida State Legislature. As a member of the Florida House, former Judge Paul Hawkes was honored to have the opportunity to represent the citizens of Citrus, Marion and Hernando counties, and served as a passionate and committed state legislator until 1994. His legislative tenure included service on several House committees, including the Health Care, Commerce and Public Schools and Governmental Operations committees. 

Shortly after former Judge Paul Hawkes term of service in the Florida State Legislature ended, he was honored to have the opportunity to serve as Special Counsel to the first Republican State House Speaker in over 122 years. As an advisor to Speaker Daniel Webster, former Judge Paul Hawkes helped to draft new rules for the Florida House, advised on referral recommendations for all pieces of filed legislation, and oversaw many important special projects. He enjoyed service in a similar capacity again in 2001, serving as Chief of Policy for House Speaker Tom Feeney.

Former Judge Paul Hawkes Proud of His Academic Successes

As a graduate of both Florida State University and the University of South Florida, former Judge Paul Hawkes understands the necessity of a quality college education, particularly as it applies to a successful career in the political arena. Former Judge Paul Hawkes enjoyed a high level of success at the university level, and was able to transition his academic accomplishments into the development of a lengthy public service career.

Former Judge Paul Hawkes began his academic career at the University of South Florida, participating in a rigorous and challenging political science program that helped to shape his love for and devotion to public service. Former Judge Paul Hawkes graduated from USF in 1983, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and earning the Cum Laude distinction. The USF Political Science program provided him with the knowledge and tools necessary to become a successful student at Florida State University, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 1985. Former Judge Paul Hawkes graduated from FSU with Honors, and had served as the Research Editor of the Florida State University Law Review during his student tenure.

Former Judge Paul Hawkes has successfully applied the education he received at both FSU and at USF to the development and sustainment of a lengthy public service career. As a former state legislator, judge and political appointee, former Judge Paul Hawkes has consistently been a true credit to the institution of state government. He has consistently earned the respect and the admiration of his colleagues in both the legal profession and within state offices.

Former Judge Paul Hawkes: Serving the State of Florida with Distinction

Former Judge Paul Hawkes has enjoyed an extensive and successful career as an official in the Florida State Government. As a former legislator in the Florida House of Representatives, former Judge Paul Hawkes served Districts 26 and 43 admirably and with distinction between 1990 and 1994. 

Former Judge Paul Hawkes understands the political process, as well as how to get things done in government at the state level. He was honored to have had the opportunity to serve his district, and to represent the interests of his constituents, for more than four years. Former Judge Paul Hawkes is passionate about public service because it has afforded him multiple opportunities to have a positive impact on both the government and the people of the State of Florida.

With experience in all three branches of Florida state government, former Judge Paul Hawkes has consistently striven to make a difference for the people of Florida. Though his term of public service began in the state legislature, he has also served on the bench and in the Governor’s office, providing state government leadership with an unparalleled devotion to fairness and efficiency. Former Judge Paul Hawkes served with distinction on the Florida District Court of Appeal from 2003 to 2012, and was the Court’s Chief Judge from 2007-2009. He also worked in the Jeb Bush administration in the governor’s Office of Policy & Budget, and even served as Governor Bush’s Efficiency Czar. 

Former Judge Paul Hawkes has an admirable record of devoted public service, and is proud to have had so many opportunities to represent and serve the citizens of the State of Florida.

A Successful Career: Judge Paul Hawkes

Judge Paul Hawkes has had an extremely successful and interesting career. From spending more than 25 years in the Florida Bar to having a long and productive career in politics, Judge Paul Hawkes has experienced life as a lawyer, a judge, and an individual who was appointed to powerful positions by none other than Gov. Jeb Bush.

Judge Paul Hawkes began his career with an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of South Florida. After matriculating cum laude in 1983, he went on to gain his Juris Doctorate in 1985 from the Florida State University College of Law. Here, he graduated with honors and also served as research editor on the Florida State Law Review.

Judge Paul Hawkes has a distinguished career in public service. He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives, elected from District 26 and serving from 1990 until 1994. In addition to this, he helped implememt efficiency measures for Gov. Jeb Bush, serving as the governor's first 'efficiency czar.' He was appointed to the First District Court of Appeal where he served as a judge from 2003 until 2012. During this time he was elected by the other judges on his court to be Chief Judge, and has the distinction of being the youngest judge on the First DCA to be elected to this office. Judge Paul Hawkes held the position of Chief Judge from 2007 until 2009.

Currently, Judge Paul Hawkes works as a lobbyist, lobbying both the legislative and executive branches of Florida government. His extensive experience in the courtroom and also as a legislator have given him a long and distinguished career full of accolades and service.

Judge Paul Hawkes: Making History

Judge Paul Hawkes has his career in law and politics, and many of the things that he has done and experienced are notable both form a Floridia history perspective and, perhaps even an  American historical perspective.

1996 was a historic year for the Republican party in Florida. This is because 1996 was the first year that Republicans became the majority party in the House of Representatives since 1874. With the Florida Senate having become majority Republican two years previously, Republicans controled the Florida legislature. Acting on this new opportuntiy to set policy, Republican legislators got down to work. Future judge, Paul Hawkes had the chance to work with them. Judge Paul Hawkes was able to serve as Special Counsel to Speaker of the House Daniel Webster. One of the first steps the new majority took, was to draft new Rules for the Florida House. Paul Hawkes served as the primary drafter of the new Rules that were designed to cut House beauracracy, level out power centers, and prioritize the House’s time.

But even though he would eventually become a judge, Paul Hawkes never drifted too far from the Florida House. In 2001, Paul Hawkes came back to the House in order to serve as Chief of Policy for Speaker Tom Feeney. In this position, Judge Paul Hawkes was able to advise Speaker Feeney on any policy issue that came up in the Florida House.

In the year 2000, Paul Hawkes had the opportunity to work with Gov. Jeb Bush. Paul Hawkes served as an 'efficiency czar' to help streamline operations and helped identify opportunities for outsourcing. In this position, the future Judge Paul Hawkes worked with the future Judge Brad Thomas to outsource food service in Florida state prisons. This proposal saved Florida taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

After being appointed to the First District Court of Appeal, Judge Paul Hawkes had the opportunity to serve as Chief Judge of the Court Of Appeal., Working with his collages on the court, Judge Paul Hawkes was insrumental in creating the first electronic filing system in a Florida appellate court, helped the court earn several Davis Productivity awards, and helped establish a special unit to handle workers’ compensation cases.

The investment of others in Judge Paul Hawkes: An opportunity to serve

Throughout Judge Paul Hawkes' career, he has been a maverick of sorts and been able to serve in many challanging positions. These opportunities came from others being willing to invest their time and trust  in the future judge. One individual who invested his time and trust in Judge Paul Hawkes  was none other than Gov. Jeb Bush. Gov. Jeb Bush allowed Paul Hawkes to work in his office of Policy and Budget, to participate in the formation of some important policy positions, and ultimately to allow him the opportunity to serve as Judge Paul Hawkes, by appointing him to the First District Court of Appeal. 

Gov. Jeb Bush is not the only individual who invested in Judge Paul Hawkes. In 1986, Paul Hawkes had the opportunity to serve the citizens of the Fifth Circuit as an Assistant State Attorney. In 1990, the people of the 26^th House District invested in Paul Hawkes by electing him to the State Legislature. In 1996, Speaker Daniel Webster invested in Paul Hawkes by allowing him to serve as Special Counsel. From being a commission member on the 1997/1998 constitutional Revision Commission, a memebr of the Revenue Estimating Conference, to serving the First DCA as Chief Judge, Paul Hawkes has benefited greatly by the investment others have made in him.

Judge Paul Hawkes often references the comments of Gov. Jeb Bush  on how fortunate he is to be a part of a 'family' that is dedicated to public service. Throughout Judge Paul Hawkes'  career in law and politics, Judge Paul Hawkes is honored to say that he feels the same way.  But none of it would have been possible without the investment of others, for which Paul Hawkes will always be grateful.

More Than 25 Years in Law: Judge Paul Hawkes

Judge Paul Hawkes is proud to say that he has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 25 years. Throughout the course of his career, not only has Judge Paul Hawkes served as a lawyer and a judge, but he also was involved with the Florida House of Representatives in several different capacities.

During his time as a judge, Paul Hawkes wrote the majority decision in a number of important cases. For instance, in Gridine v. State, 89 So.3d 909 (Fla 1^st DCA 2011), he ruled that a 70-year sentence for a juvenile offender was not unconstitutional. In K.G. v. Florida Dept. of Children and Families, 66 So.3^rd 366 (Fla. 1^st DCA 2011), Judge Paul Hawkes wrote for the majority that a dependent child's mother was not given a fair chance to be heard at a hearing which resulted in a shelter order for the minor child.

Judge Paul Hawkes wrote opinions for the majority that enforced the statutory provision that inmates could lose gain time for making claims that lack merit. In Mitchell v. XO Communications, 966 So.2nd 489 (Fla. 1^st DCA 2007), Judge Paul Hawkes wrote an opinion that helped  clarify workers' compensation cases by stating that only the party who has the burden of proof on the issue must demonstrate record evidence supports the JCC’s ruling.

Judge Paul Hawkes has been involved in a myriad of cases over the length of his legal and judicial career. From the time that Judge Paul Hawkes graduated from the

Florida State University College of Law in 1985, he knew that law was going to be a difficult, but rewarding calling., Because of the help of many others he was able to experience some incredible opportunities to serve his state, his country, and the people within it.