Ricky Polston, a partner in the Tallahassee office of Shutts & Bowen LLP and Chair of the firm’s Constitutional Law Section, recently spoke at Florida State University’s Commencement Ceremony on May 3, 2025.

Ricky, who is a former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice, addressed graduates from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the College of Nursing, as well as the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

During his speech, Ricky encouraged the new graduates, and spoke on not wasting anything, with the topic; “Catch the crumbs – let nothing fall from the table.  Account for all blessings and be stewards of the mistakes.”

Ricky is a double graduate of Florida State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Accounting, as well as his Juris Doctor from the university. He also served as an adjunct professor at FSU College of Law for 20 years, teaching various courses including Insurance Law, Florida Constitutional Law, Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution (substantive law on federal and Florida arbitration and mediation), Appellate Practice (clinical), and Accounting for Lawyers.

 

About Ricky Polston

Ricky Polston is a partner in the Tallahassee office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is the Chair of the Constitutional Law Section and a member of the Appellate, Government Law, Insurance, and Litigation practice groups. He was a Florida Supreme Court Justice from 2008-2023, serving as Chief Justice from 2012 to 2014, and was a judge at the First District Court of Appeal from 2001-2008.