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General Note

Shown during a Florida Supreme Court Historical Society oral history program ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate the career of ex-justice Raymond Ehrlich (served from December 3, 1981 to January 7, 1991).

Justices (L-R): Gerald Kogan, Rosemary Barkett, Ben Overton, Chief Justice Leander Shaw, Parker Lee McDonald, Stephen Grimes and Major B. Harding.

Seated in front of the justices is ex-justice Raymond Ehrlich with his wife Miriam.

Identified at the bottom left with her back to the camera is Virginia B. Townes.

Biographical Note

Justice Raymond Ehrlich was born in Swainsboro, Georgia, on February 2, 1918. In 1926 he moved to Crescent City, Florida, where he attended the public schools.

He received a bachelor's degree with high honors from the University of Florida in 1939 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1942 he received his bachelor of laws degree (later changed to juris doctor) with high honors from the University of Florida.

Justice Ehrlich was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1942, and upon his discharge from the United States Navy in 1946 he began the practice of law in Jacksonville, Florida. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Florida on December 3, 1981 and was retained through a merit retention election in November 1984. Justice Ehrlich served as chief justice from July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1990. He served until retirement on January 7, 1991.

Justice Ehrlich was married to Miriam Bettman, and they had four children: Jack, Zelda, Jerry and Carol Ann. Raymond Ehrlich died on July 12, 2005.