Nuestra historia

The Florida Justice Institute, Inc. (FJI) was founded in 1978 by Roderick “Rod” N. Petrey who was and remains a leading figure in securing funding for public interest law programs across the country. Upon leaving the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation in New York to enter the private practice of law in Miami, Rod was given a start-up grant to establish FJI.

An image collage of attorneys and employees of the Florida Justice Institute at Holiday parties and team dinners

Initial Mission

The mission established by Rod was to:

  • Improve the administration of justice for all Floridians
  • Encourage better representation of citizens’ interests
  • Increase the ability of citizens to resolve disputes quickly and inexpensively

Rod and FJI set out to accomplish these goals by working with existing organizations to identify major, unmet needs in the community and address them through advocacy and litigation.

After incorporating the organization, establishing the Board, and obtaining section 501(c)(3) charitable status, FJI hired Randall C. “Randy” Berg, Jr. in 1978 to be its Executive Director, a position Randy held until his retirement at the end of 2018.  Randy sadly passed away in April of 2019.

Founding Board of Directors

A portrait of Roderick Petrey, Founder of Florida Justice Institute

Roderick N. Petrey

Founder of Florida Justice Institute

A portrait of Leroy Collins, a founding member of the Florida Justice Institute's original Board of Directors

Leroy Collins

Former Governor and Undersecretary of Commerce

A portrait of Chesterfield Smith, a founding member of the Florida Justice Institute's original Board of Directors

Chesterfield Smith

Former President of The Florida Bar and American Bar Association and managing partner at Holland & Knight

A portrait of John Edward Smith, a founding member of the Florida Justice Institute's original Board of Directors

John Edward Smith

Partner at Steel Hector & Davis

An icon of a man in the absence of a portrait of Hugh McMillan Jr., a founding member of the Florida Justice Institute's original Board of Directors

Hugh McMillan, Jr.

Former Legislative Counsel for Governor Askew and in private practice

A portrait of Eleanor Mitchell Hunter, a founding member of the Florida Justice Institute's original Board of Directors

Eleanor Mitchell Hunter

Assistant General Counsel to the Governor and eventual Executive Director of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners

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