Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Peter R. Ramsberger, a tireless judicial educator and a champion for improved justice in domestic violence, is the 2017 recipient of the Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga presented the award to Judge Ramsberger at the Conference of Circuit Court Judges of Florida.
Judge Ramsberger was elected to the Pinellas County bench in 1990 and appointed to his position in the Sixth Circuit in 1997. He has created, prepared, revised, and presented more judicial education programs than any other judge in Florida – he’s taught at least 100 judicial education programs. His nomination and letters of support highlighted his humor, humility, inclusiveness and an overall exceptionally warm judicial demeanor. Judge Ramsberger is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Florida State University College of Law.
“Judge Ramsberger personifies judicial excellence, strength of character, integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, sound judgment, professional ethics, intellectual courage, compassion and decisiveness,” wrote Miami-Dade County Judge Carroll J. Kelly. “He also possesses the unusual trait of humbleness.”
He teaches at Florida judicial education forums and has co-created two intensive programs, successive versions of the Florida Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence. He has taught these two programs in 10 regional locations. The Florida Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence has served more than 200 judges.
“Judge Ramsberger has taught generations of judges not only the nuts and bolts of family law, but also why it is sometimes necessary for family judges to go above and beyond the call of duty when a family is in crisis and needs help,” wrote Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judge Donna Padar Berlin, in a letter in support of his nomination. “Thanks to Judge Ramsberger, ‘Famstock’ (as the family law track is affectionately known at the Florida Judicial College) is the only track with a heart.”
He taught nine programs in different circuits around the state during fiscal 2014-16, with more than 170 judges attending. The effort saved taxpayers an estimated $375,000.
The Chief Justice Awards for Judicial Excellence, established in 2014, recognize one county court judge and one circuit judge who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the judicial branch and who personify judicial excellence. The county judge recipient, Judge Kelly, was announced earlier this month.