Judge F. Rand Wallis: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. F. Rand Wallis is a judge for the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Florida. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Rick Scott in 2013, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Bruce Jacobus (Ret.).

At the time of his appointment, Wallis was a judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit Court, a position to which he was appointed by former Governor Charlie Crist in 2008.

Wallis attended Furman University, where he received a B.A. in political science in 1989. He went on to complete a J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1992.

After graduating from law school, Wallis began his legal career as an assistant state attorney with the Office of the State Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit. He served in that capacity for two years, eventually leaving to become an associate at Cameron, Marriott, Walsh, Hodges & Coleman.

Then, in 1996, Wallis moved to Cabaniss, McDonald, Smith & Wiggins. He worked in that capacity until 2001, at which time he became a partner at Cabaniss, Smith, Toole & Wiggins. He remained with the firm until his appointment to the bench.

His memberships included the Florida Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association, the George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court, and the American Bar Association’s Tort and Insurance Practice Section. Wallis has also served on the Education Committee of the District Court of Appeal Conference, the Appellate Website Redesign Committee, and the Florida Supreme Court’s Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases (chair) and its Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity.

An active member of his community, Wallis has served as a basketball coach for the Winter Park YMCA and the Maitland Little League (and board member), and he was a member of the Winter Park Rotary Club.

Wallis was born in Orlando, Florida.