Originally posted on March 5th on Stetson Law News.
In a moving tribute to a mentor and fellow Stetson Law alumnus, Jeffrey D. Harvey ’12 has donated a special edition copy of Python Tales, a memoir written by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Karl ’49, to the Florida Supreme Court archives.
Harvey hopes the gesture will raise awareness of Karl, a man who embodied the spirit of service, ethical governance, and passion for helping others in a time in the profession of law where role models for lawyers are as important as ever. He also hopes that it might inspire others to contribute to a scholarship created in Karl’s honor for Veterans attending Stetson Law.
The book chronicles Karl’s time serving overseas in World War II, after which he returned to the U.S. a decorated veteran bound for Stetson Law and, after that, incredible success in his field. Published just prior to Karl’s death in 2013, the book’s proceeds benefit Stetson’s Frederick B. Karl Veterans Scholarship.
“One of Fred’s final wishes was for the proceeds of this book to continue to support the Fred Karl Veterans Scholarship, and it is one of my life’s missions to see that others can benefit from the lessons I was fortunate enough to learn from such a hero first hand,” Harvey wrote in the book’s afterward.
The donation serves to bolster an effort by Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans to promote civics education at the Supreme Court building. This includes new and accessible information about the history of the Supreme Court, the judiciary’s role as one of three branches of government, and the court’s landmark decisions. Grosshans has also worked to improve the display of artifacts and materials within the Supreme Court building as well as those on display at the Florida Supreme Court Library.
Harvey said he hopes Karl’s legacy inspires legal professionals during their most trying times.
“While the scholarship might help students get through law school, the legacy of Fred Karl may help lawyers get through difficult times in their practice,” he said.
Inspiration for veterans returning home
Fred Karl’s life is a testament to dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to public service, including fellow veterans.
Harvey, a veteran who is now chief executive officer of Community Legal Services in Orlando, learned of Karl as a student at Stetson Law during a seminar on professionalism for which Karl was the namesake.
“After hearing about this fellow veteran and his reputation for honesty, integrity, and service to the community, I remember feeling an overwhelming level of inspiration and comfort that someone who has taken the very path I am on was able to be so successful and stay true to the values ingrained in us through military service,” he wrote.
Inspired by his story, he wrote a letter to Karl, asking if they could meet. Karl responded, and the two met for breakfast or lunch multiple times over the ensuing semesters. “During our visits he would mentor me about life as an attorney and a public servant,” Harvey continued. “Most of all he taught me that it is possible to be an attorney and a public servant and not only maintain honor, integrity and ethics, but that you can be known and sought after for those qualities.”
An early call to serve
Born in Daytona Beach in 1924, Karl spent most of his childhood on Florida’s east coast. A good student and popular among his peers, he was voted “Most Personable” by his senior class at Seabreeze High School.
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Karl was moved to join the Army in 1942 at 18. Commissioned as an officer, he led a tank platoon in the European campaign during World War II. Despite being severely injured, Karl’s strong will saw him through. His bravery in the Battle of the Bulge earned him the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart.
Upon returning home, he pursued a bachelor’s at the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson. He graduated from Stetson Law in 1949.
A commitment to community
After practicing for several years, Karl went into politics in 1956 when he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. Known for his devotion to fairness and high ethical standards, he earned the nickname “conscience of the House.” He was then elected to the State Senate and the Florida Supreme Court.
In 1988, Karl accepted an offer from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to become the county’s lead attorney and was appointed as the county’s chief executive officer within two years. As County Administrator, Karl was known to be decisive and get things done.
He established a healthcare program for low-income residents, promoted diversity in county government, and led efforts to consolidate county offices into a centralized location in downtown Tampa. The building was later named the Frederick Karl County Center in his honor.
Seizing on Tampa’s potential
Karl’s impact extended to healthcare as well. As chair of the board of Tampa General Hospital, he helped transform it into one of the best hospitals in the state.
He also played a pivotal role in bringing the New York Yankees’ Spring Training Complex to Tampa and laid the groundwork for what is now Amalie Arena. His efforts were recognized with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s Tom McEwan Distinguished Community Advocate Award in 2013.
Despite numerous retirements, Karl’s dedication to public service never waned. In 2004, newly elected Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio appointed him as city attorney, a role he held for six months before stepping down at the age of 80. His influence and guidance were invaluable during this period.
“Fred Karl was born to be a public servant. He tackled issues with a sense of fairness, respect, and honesty, always reflecting his personal and professional high standards,” Iorio said of Karl in 2013.
Fred Karl passed away on March 7, 2013 at 88 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and transformative community service.
“Fred represented everything good about public service and carried himself with the moral dignity of a man whose ethical compass always pointed true north,” former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said at the time.
More than a decade following his passing, Karl’s impact on the State of Florida, the Tampa Bay region, and Stetson’s vibrant veteran community remain an inspiration to all who follow in his footsteps, including Harvey.
“Anyone who is called to serve should learn the story of this resolute public servant,” he said. “Our community and state are a better place because of him, and I hope his legacy inspires others to lead with integrity and a deep commitment to fairness.”