Wilkie D. Ferguson facts for kids

Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. (born May 11, 1938 – died June 9, 2003) was an important American lawyer and judge. He worked as a judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He also served as a judge on the Florida Third District Court of Appeal and the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

Early Life and Education

Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. was born in Miami, Florida. His parents were immigrants from The Bahamas. He grew up in a public housing area called Liberty Square in Miami.

He went to public schools that were segregated at the time. This meant that black and white students went to separate schools. In 1956, he was part of the first class to graduate from Miami Northwestern High School.

Ferguson then went to Florida A&M University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1960. While at FAMU, he met his wife, Betty. She later became a member of the Miami-Dade County Commission.

After college, Ferguson joined the United States Army. He served from 1960 to 1964. He reached the rank of second lieutenant. He was a paratrooper and worked in infantry units. After leaving active duty in 1964, he stayed in the Army Reserve as a captain until 1968.

Ferguson also studied at Drexel University. He then went to Howard University School of Law. He was an editor for the law school newspaper. He earned his law degree in 1968.

Beginning His Legal Career

After law school, Ferguson worked for Legal Services of Greater Miami from 1968 to 1970. He helped people who could not afford a lawyer. He also worked at the Liberty City-Brownsville Legal Services office.

In 1968, he was part of a group that looked into the Liberty City riots. These were civil disturbances that happened in Miami.

From 1970 to 1973, Ferguson worked as a private lawyer in Miami. He also helped start a law firm called McCrary, Ferguson and Lee in 1971. From 1972 to 1973, he was a lawyer for the Dade County School Board.

Becoming a State Judge

Wilkie Ferguson Jr. became a judge in Florida's state court system. From 1973 to 1977, he served on the Industrial Claims Court.

In 1976, Governor Rubin Askew appointed him to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He served on this court from 1977 to 1981. He was the first black judge to be appointed to this court.

In December 1980, he was appointed to the Florida Third District Court of Appeal. He served there from 1981 to 1993. He was also the first black judge on that court.

Serving as a Federal Judge

On October 25, 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Wilkie Ferguson Jr. to become a federal judge. He was nominated for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Senate approved his nomination on November 20, 1993. He officially became a judge on November 22, 1993.

Judge Ferguson served on this court until his death in 2003. He passed away in Miami from leukemia, a type of cancer. Judge Marcia G. Cooke took his place on the court.

Honors and Legacy

Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. was honored in many ways after his death. Just ten days after he passed away, the Florida Black Lawyers Association changed its name. It became the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association.

A courthouse in downtown Miami is also named after him. It is called the Wilkie D. Ferguson Courthouse. A nearby Metromover train station is also named in his honor. It is called the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. station.

See also

• List of African-American jurists
• List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Florida