James E. Joanos, former chief judge of Florida's First District Court of Appeal, was selected as the recipient of the eminent Moore-Stone Award by Florida State University, and inducted to the institution's 2015 hall of fame class with his wife, Betty Lou, for their devotion to the university as both prominent alumni and ultimate stalwarts of its athletic programs.

Joanos earned his bachelor of science in government and public administration from Florida State University in 1956, and was a member of the track team and a student body leader. He was instrumental in the establishment of Florida State University's College of Law, where he also served as adjunct professor for more than 20 years and past president of the FSU Alumni Association. Joanos also was awarded the Alumni Association's Bernard Sliger Award, the FSU Emeritus Alumni Society's Award of Excellence, as well as the Circle of Gold Award.

A graduate from Yale School of Law, Joanos eventually became the chief judge of Florida's First District Court of Appeal, where he served as an appellate judge for 20 years. Prior to that, he was a trial judge on Florida's Second Judicial Circuit Court for 8 years. He concentrates his practice at Akerman in the area of civil and administrative appeals and assists clients in a broad range of appellate activities, including preparing lawyers for oral arguments and other hearings. He is a member of Akerman Bench, which consists of former appellate and trial judges who assist clients and outside counsel in preparing for oral arguments throughout the United States.

Florida State University News: "Florida State Announces 2015 Hall of Fame Class"
The Florida Bar News: "Joanos makes Florida State's Hall of Fame"