Judge Waddell A. Wallace, III: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Waddell A. Wallace, III is a judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jeb Bush in 1999.

The 4th Judicial Circuit encompasses Clay County, Duval County, and Nassau County. Wallace has held assignments in Duval County, presiding over cases in the Civil Division, the Felony Division, the Family Division, and the Juvenile Division.

Wallace earned a B.A. in economics from the University of Virginia in 1975. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, in 1978.

After graduating from law school, Wallace began his legal career as an associate at Smith, Hulsey & Busey. He worked in that capacity until 1999, specializing in commercial and business litigation.

His memberships have included the Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Florida Family Law Inn of Court, and the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court. He has also been involved with the Executive Committee of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, and he has served on the City of Jacksonville Sexual Assault Advisory Council and the Florida Crime Laboratory Council.

He was named Judge of the Year by the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (2006), Frank Carrington Champion for Victims by the Victims Advisory Council of the City of Jacksonville (2006), and the Judicial Advocate of the Year by the Guardian ad Litem Program for the Fourth Judicial Circuit (2005).

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Wallace attended Robert E. Lee High School. He has served as a deacon, elder, and trustee of the Session at Riverside Presbyterian Church.