Barbara Pariente (born 1948

Class of 1966), Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 2004 to 2006.[80]

What is Barbara Pariente (born 1948 known for?

Barbara Joan Pariente, a distinguished alumna of Tenafly High School in Tenafly, New Jersey, has earned her reputation through an illustrious legal career. Born on December 24, 1948, in New York City, she later moved to Tenafly, New Jersey, graduating from Tenafly High School in 1966. She expanded her knowledge by attending Boston University and George Washington University Law School, graduating with a BA and a JD respectively.

After her education, Pariente embarked on an established legal career, starting as a clerk under Judge Norman C. Roettger, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She later joined the civil law firm of Cone, Wagner and Nugent, and eventually established her own firm, Pariente & Silber. During this time, she was heavily involved in the Florida Bar and helped organize Palm Beach County's first Bench-Bar Conference.

In September 1993, she was appointed to Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal and served until 1997, when she was appointed a justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Notably, she served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida from July 2004 to June 2006, a tenure marked by her dedication to reforming the family law system in Florida. In addition to her judicial duties, her championing of families and children in the Courts and her advisory role on Character Education and the Legal Needs of Children are also significant contributions.

Pariente's resilience was exhibited when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2003. Despite undergoing significant treatment, she missed no oral arguments or judicial conferences, inspiring many with her determination and courage. Her decision to continue her professional appearances without a wig during televised court proceedings post-treatment was recognized as a powerful statement for other women in treatment.

Among many decisions she authored, the 2004 decision in Jeb Bush v. Michael Schiavo was significant, ruling a law passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature as unconstitutional. Throughout her career, Pariente has proven to be a diligent, courageous, and remarkable figure in the legal field.