Background
Overton, Benjamin Frederick was born on December 15, 1926 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Benjamin H. and Esther M. (Wiese) Overton.
Overton, Benjamin Frederick was born on December 15, 1926 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Benjamin H. and Esther M. (Wiese) Overton.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University Florida, 1951. Juris Doctor, University Florida, 1952. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Stetson University, 1975.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, Nova University, 1977. Master of Laws, University Virginia, 1984.
With, Office Florida Attorney General, 1952;with firms in, St. Petersburg, Florida, 1952-1964;city attorney, St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, 1954-1957;circuit judge, 6th Judicial Circuit Florida, 1964-1974;chief judge, 6th Judicial Circuit Florida, 1968-1971;chairman, Florida Conference Circuit Judges, 1973;justice, Supreme Court Florida, Tallahassee, since 1974;chief justice, Supreme Court Florida, 1976-1978. Past adjunct faculty Stetson U. College, Law and Florida St. U. College Law. Board directors National Judicial College, 1976-1987.
Member Florida Car Continuing Legal Education.Com., 1963-1974, chairman, 1971-1974. 1st chairman Florida Institute Judiciary, 1972;member Executive Committee Appellate Judges Conference. Chairman Appellate Structure Commission, 1978-1979, Article Review Commission, 1983-1984, Matrimonial Law Commission, 1982-1985.
Chairman Judicial Council Florida, 1985-1989. Chairman advising committee for Master of Laws program for appellate judges University of Virginia, 1985-1994.
Past reader, vestryman, senior warden St. Albans Episcopal Church, St. Petersburg. Chairman United States Constitution Bicentennial Commission Florida 1987-1991. Church Family Court Commission, 1990-1991.
Church Death Case Postconviction Relief Proceeding 1990-1991. Fellow American Bar Foundation. Member American Bar Association (chairman criminal justice task force to review trial and discovery standards since 1991), Florida Bar Association, American Judicature Society (director, secretary).
Lodges: Rotary.
Married Marilyn Louise Smith, June 9, 1951. Children: William Hunter, Robert Murray, Catherine Louise.