The Hon. W. Howard LaPorte (Ret.) served as a judge on the 1st Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. LaPorte was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jeb Bush in 2004. He retired on January 5, 2015.
The 1st Judicial Circuit encompasses Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties. LaPorte held assignments in Walton County.
LaPorte earned a B.A. from William Carey College in 1967. Then, in 1971, he completed a J.D. at Florida State University College of Law.
After graduating from law school, LaPorte entered into private practice as a sole practitioner. He worked in that capacity until 2004, when he became a general magistrate for the 1st Judicial Circuit Court.