In Memory of U.S. District Court and Retired Circuit Judge
James Lawrence King
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida joins family members and friends in mourning the passing of U.S. District Court and Retired Circuit Court Judge James Lawrence King, the father of Eleventh Judicial Circuit Judge Lawrence D. King and an inspiration not only to his children, but to generations of judges and lawyers who followed.
Judge King, appointed to the federal bench in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, served with unparalleled dedication for more than five decades until his passing at the age of 98 on May 2, 2026.
A Miami native, Judge King was at the center of many of South Florida’s most significant legal moments, presiding over many landmark cases. His service to the judiciary began long before his federal appointment.
After graduating from the University of Florida and serving as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps during the Korean War, he practiced civil law in Miami and was elected to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in 1964. His distinguished work here led to his nomination to the federal bench six years later.
Throughout his federal judicial career, Judge King authored more than 1,020 decisions. He served as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, and played a key role in the development of several federal courthouses, including the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building, which bears his name.
In 2000, Judge King received the prestigious Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award, presented by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who praised him as a “stalwart champion of fairness and integrity.”
Even after assuming senior status in 1992, Judge King continued to carry a full caseload, working daily in his chambers well into his nineties. His colleagues often remarked on his unmatched work ethic, his thoughtful and well‑reasoned orders, and his deep respect for every person who entered his courtroom.
Read more about Judge King here.
Services:
Judge King's family will have a private funeral mass followed by a Celebration of Life as follows:
Celebration of Life
Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse
400 North Miami Ave., Miami, FL, 33128