Judge Morris Silberman

Judge Silberman received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University, majoring in philosophy and political science. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1982.

Following law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge Herboth S. Ryder at the Second District Court of Appeal. He then worked with law firms in Sarasota and Clearwater. In 1988, he formed his own firm in Clearwater. Judge Silberman had a general civil litigation and appellate practice, with an emphasis on business and contract disputes.

Judge Silberman was appointed to the Second District Court of Appeal in January 2001. He served as Chief Judge of the court from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2013. He has been active in a variety of professional and legal organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts and serves on the Finance Committee and the Public Affairs Committee. He served as President of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal from October 2021 to December 2022, and previously served as Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Chairperson of various Council committees. He is a member of the American Law Institute, one of the nation’s most respected and influential organizations working to clarify and improve the law. He is an Emeritus Trustee of the University of Florida Law Center Association Board of Trustees and serves on the Executive Council of The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section.

Judge Silberman is a past Chairman of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission and was a member of the JQC from 2003 to 2012. He was a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors from 1996 to 2000, served two terms on the Executive Committee and chaired the Budget Committee, the Election Reform Special Committee, and other committees. He was President of the Clearwater Bar Association from 1993 to 1994. He is a past member of the Bruce R. Jacob-Chris W. Altenbernd Criminal Appellate American Inn of Court and the Barney Masterson Inn of Court. His past civic involvement includes membership on the East Lake Community Library Board; officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Youth Symphony; and member of the Board of Directors of Leadership Pinellas.

Judge Silberman has taught at Florida's Advanced Judicial College and at the Conferences of Florida's Appellate, Circuit, and County Court Judges. He has lectured on numerous occasions on matters relating to appellate practice, litigation, ethics, judicial discipline, and professionalism and has been an author and co-editor for Business Litigation in Florida, published by The Florida Bar.

Judge Silberman is married and has one daughter.