Alto L. Adams

Alto Lee Adams Sr. (January 31, 1899 – February 20, 1988) was an American judge. He was a justice for the Florida Supreme Court between 1940 and 1951. From 1949 to 1951 Adams served as chief justice.

Biography Born and raised in Walton County, Florida, near DeFuniak Springs.

Law career

Adams graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1921. While at the University of Florida, he was member of Alpha Phi Epsilon and Florida Blue Key. He also was named a Designated Distinguished Alumnus in 1974. After gaining admission to the bar, Adams "moved to Ft. Pierce to practice law".

In 1967, Governor Claude R. Kirk appointed Adams as an interim justice to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Stephen C. O'Connell. Kirk had initially attempted to appoint Wade L. Hopping, but Hopping was declared ineligible, not having been a member of the Florida Bar for the requisite ten-year period. Adams served until Hopping met the eligibility requirements in late 1968.

Federal Courthouse

In September 2009, legislation was introduced in the US Congress to name the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida after Adams. This legislation was passed in 2012.