Justice Francis’ story begins in Jamaica, where she grew up. She attended the University of the West Indies, majoring in political science and international relations. While attending university, Justice Francis managed two family businesses and yet, graduated with honors. The multitasking and long hours dedicated to both endeavors helped her develop skills she still uses today. “It was really a challenge because I was a full-time student. I didn’t have the typical college experience that a lot of students have,” she said. She described the undertaking as “a great balancing act.” “Being a small business owner is all-consuming, so you learn pretty quickly how to manage your time effectively.” She noted the skills she developed during that time prepared her for the judiciary in many ways. “Your role as a judge is not only about deciding the cases; it’s about the administrative responsibilities as well.”

In those administrative positions, such as presiding over the family law division in the circuit court in West Palm Beach, her professional and managerial foundation helped her manage the various people and processes for which a presiding judge is responsible. Justice Francis reflected that her experience managing two businesses and attending school impacted her worldview and her role as a public servant in the judiciary. Juggling many expectations “shapes the way you view your responsibilities; it shapes the way you view your commitments. When you’re in the eye of the storm, you’re just putting one foot in front of the other. And eventually, when you look back, you’re like, oh my, I can’t believe I was doing all that. But you just do it because you must do it.”

Justice Francis had her sights set on attending law school since she was a child. She said, “I’ve had that dream for as long as I can remember. ‘Where I got that dream to go to law school?’ That is the million-dollar question.” Taking a class in contracts while preparing to go to university “really cemented” her desire to become a lawyer. She said she “absolutely loved” the contracts course and continued, “once I got to law school, it was over,” she thought, “I’m in heaven.”

While attending law school in Jacksonville, Justice Francis was a member of a nationally ranked moot court team and considers the team’s coordinator a pivotal mentor who “saw something in her” and inspired her to keep working toward her goals. Justice Francis met Judge Scott Makar in law school, and she later clerked for him at Florida’s First District Court of Appeal. She said her positive experience at the First District Court of Appeal “shaped [her] views on what [she] wanted to do as a career.”

Thinking back on those impactful experiences, she recalls engaging in discussions with Judge Makar and Judge Peter Webster, for whom she also clerked at the First District Court of Appeal.  She remembers the conversations that prepared her for her career as a judge. She said, “I recall sitting in Judge Makar’s office discussing the merits of cases … it was wonderful.” Watching Judge Makar and Judge Webster lead and decide challenging cases influenced how she approached her judgeships. She continues to emulate their “kind, discerning, and thoughtful” leadership in her judicial roles.

Having lived in several cities across the state of Florida, including Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Miami, and West Palm Beach, Justice Francis definitively calls Florida home. She has family across the state and has found community within the judiciary and among many other Caribbean-Americans. Her experiences from Jamaica are still prevalent in her approach to the United States government. After experiencing both governments, she has a “deep appreciation” for and is “beyond grateful” she “get[s] to be a part of preserving” the United States government through her service in the judicial branch. With obvious reverence, she said, “the sky is the limit in the United States, definitely. It’s really a special place.”

When asked about her experience in the trial courts, where she presided over the Family and Probate Divisions, Justice Francis noted some of the skills learned then that she carries into her role on the supreme court. She discussed challenges she encountered in West Palm Beach, where Family and Probate cases make up the second largest caseload after civil cases. Justice Francis managed massive dockets and heard countless cases in family and probate matters. Hearing some of the most “intimate,” “emotionally charged” cases emphasized the power of practicing patience and grace in the courtroom, and Justice Francis said it still impacts her today. Her respect for trial court judges cannot be understated. “I have an immense respect for trial judges and the difficulties they face with these very large dockets. These judges have to make sure that they are deeply involved in their communities.”

Justice Francis worked in the trial courts during the height of the pandemic and conducted many remote and hybrid proceedings. While acknowledging that technology in the courtroom was, and still is, an adjustment, she welcomes technology and its power to increase access to the courts. She said she is “not afraid of technology” and is willing to continue learning and growing with the judiciary, especially considering remote proceedings are becoming a permanent part of the judicial rule of administration. After observing the increased access remote appearances allowed, she expressed excitement for the growth it symbolizes; it was time for the judiciary to move into the 21 ^st century. However, she also noted that increased technology requires discipline from all parties and acknowledges that the learning curve will be present for many participants. Regarding the increased use of technology in courtrooms and courthouses, she remarked, “I think it’s wonderful. I welcome it.”

When asked about what challenges she anticipated from serving on the state’s highest court, Justice Francis noted that decisions made by the supreme court impact all residents of Florida, sometimes garner national attention, and influence other states and their residents. She further opined that the cases at this level are “so consequential[,]. . . It doesn’t matter what it is, people get very deeply invested in the outcome.” Therefore, justices have a responsibility to explain their rulings to the public thoroughly.

Justice Francis expressed that one of the significant issues facing the judiciary today is the crisis of confidence in the judicial system stemming from a lack of public knowledge of the role of the judicial branch. Education and outreach are a passion of hers, and she hopes to leave her mark on the court by increasing public trust and confidence in the judiciary. She noted that although confidence in institutions like the judicial branch are low, the lack of confidence is an “opportunity to explain the structure of our government, why it matters, the role of the courts, and just really educating the public.”

She observed that education and outreach initiatives primarily target justice partners such as lawyers. However, she believes in the effectiveness of building trust by speaking directly with communities and demystifying the judicial branch’s role within the three branches of government. “[Justices] have this responsibility to explain [them]selves thoroughly in a way that I think non-lawyers can understand. We should not be talking into an echo chamber.” She said there is often a misunderstanding of the judicial branch’s power over the law, overlooking the function of the branch, which is to uphold the law. “If we try to do our jobs, and we do it with that goal [of openness and transparency] in mind, always to make sure that we’re informing people … I think it will go a long way.”

When asked what she likes to do in her free time, Justice Francis laughed. The little free time she has to herself, she shares with her family. She is married with two young children whom she takes to birthday parties, playdates, and spoils with her exceptional cooking skills. She loves to experiment in the kitchen and show off her “Iron Chef skills” by making food from around the world. She noted that lately, she has been preparing Indian and Thai food, gaining a seal of approval from her husband and children. “I’m going to blow my own horn here,” she said, “I’m a pretty good cook!”

Justice Francis says she “views this position as a privilege.” Her passion for the judiciary was evident when she stated firmly, “my commitment to the rule of law, my commitment to the people of this great state are unwavering, and I want people to know that I’m going to do my absolute best for them on each and every case that comes before me.”

Read the fall 2022 Full Court Press newsletter.