Becker’s Alan S. Becker and Gary A. Poliakoff Preeminent Leaders in Law Speaker Series Welcomed Top Jurists for “Finding Common Ground on a Multi-Member Appellate Court”
April 7, 2025 – Miami, FL – Becker & Poliakoff, in collaboration with the University of Miami School of Law, recently hosted Judge Adalberto Jordan, J.D. ’87, and Judge Kevin Newsom—both of the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit—as part of the Alan S. Becker and Gary A. Poliakoff Preeminent Leaders in Law Speaker Series. The discussion, titled Finding Common Ground on a Multi-Member Appellate Court, explored the dynamics of judicial decision-making and collaboration within an appellate panel.
The conversation covered key topics, including the role of collegiality and respect in maintaining productive judicial discourse, differing approaches to legal interpretation—such as pragmatism versus textualism—and the challenges of constitutional interpretation in modern jurisprudence.
The judges provided insights into high-profile cases, such as Thompson v. The Florida Bar and Moody v. NetChoice, illustrating how their judicial philosophies shape their reasoning.
Becker shareholder Jon Polenberg moderated the Q&A session, guiding a discussion on strategies for fostering civil discourse in the legal profession and maintaining professionalism amid disagreements. The session also provided attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with the jurists.
You can watch the entire speech and Q & A session here.
The Alan S. Becker and Gary A. Poliakoff Preeminent Leaders in Law Speaker Series, established to honor Becker & Poliakoff’s founding partners, Alan S. Becker (J.D. ’69) and Gary A. Poliakoff (J.D. ’69), serves as a platform for legal professionals to share their insights and experiences with the broader community. Held twice a year, the Series aims to bridge the gap between theoretical legal education and practical application, providing valuable perspectives on the evolving legal landscape.
Judge Adalberto Jordan, born in Havana, Cuba, immigrated to the U.S. as a child. After earning his law degree, he clerked for Judge Thomas Clark of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court. He later served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida (1994-1999), leading its appellate division in his final year. He is also currently a lecturer at the University of Miami School of Law, where he teaches “The Fundamentals of Appellate Advocacy.”
Judge Kevin Newsom serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to his appointment, he led the appellate practice group at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP and was the Solicitor General of Alabama. Over his distinguished career, he has argued four cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and nearly 40 cases before federal and state appellate courts.
Previous speakers in the Series speakers have included Horacio Gutierrez, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at The Walt Disney Company, Julissa Reynoso, Former U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Florida Supreme Court Justice John D. Couriel, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke.
About Becker
Becker, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a multi-practice commercial law firm with attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals at offices throughout the East Coast. More information is available at www.beckerlawyers.com.
