The Hon. Morris Silberman
Tampa, FL
Florida Second District Court of Appeal
Tulane University, B.A.
University of Florida College of Law, J.D.
Judge Silberman is an Appellate Judge on the Florida Second District Court of Appeal. Judge Silberman received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University, majoring in philosophy and political science. He received his J.D. degree from the University Of Florida College Of Law in 1982.
Following law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge Herboth S. Ryder at the Second District Court of Appeal. After completion of his clerkship, he worked with law firms in Sarasota and Clearwater. In 1988 he formed his own firm in Clearwater. Judge Silberman had a general civil litigation practice with an emphasis on business and contract disputes, transactions, general representation, and appeals.
Judge Silberman was appointed to the Second District Court of Appeal for a term beginning in January 2001. He served as chief judge of the court from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013.
He has been active in a variety of professional and civic organizations: the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission from 2003 to 2012, including serving as its Chairman; a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors from 1996 to 2000, including serving two terms on the Executive Committee and chairing several committees; and President of the Clearwater Bar Association from 1993 to 1994 and on its Board of Directors for several years. He is currently a member of the University of Florida Law Center Association Inc. Board of Trustees. He has been involved with the East Lake Community Library Board, the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Youth Symphony, the Board of Directors of Leadership Pinellas, the Bruce R. Jacob Criminal Appellate Inn of Court, and the Barney Masterson Inn of Court.
Judge Silberman has been actively involved with the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal since 2010 and currently serves on its Executive Committe, as Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, and as Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee.
He has taught at Florida's Advanced Judicial College and at the Conferences of Florida's Circuit and County Court Judges. He has lectured on numerous occasions on matters relating to appellate practice, litigation, ethics, judicial discipline, and professionalism. He is a member of the Executive Councils for the The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section and the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section. Judge Silberman was an author and coeditor for Business Litigation in Florida, published by The Florida Bar, and has authored a variety of seminar materials.
Judge Silberman is married and has one daughter.
