It is a special privilege for me to write in honor of Jon Mills’ selection for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Jon has contributed to the development of Florida law in every imaginable capacity: as a legislator, a law professor and dean, a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, an author and as a formidable litigator. The people in this state may not all know Jon Mills, but through decades of work he has made Florida better place to live for all of us.  

Jon obtained his J.D. from the University of Florida in 1972. From 1978 to 1988, Jon served in the Florida House of Representatives, the last two years as speaker. He introduced and drove to approval a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to privacy. As speaker, the Legislature passed legislation that improved Florida water quality and protected wetlands, as well as looking into the future with a high technology economic development act.