Celebrating 50 years of practice: Florida lawyers recall the profession a half century ago.

From human cannon balls to judicial canons, and the evolution of the language of math to the logic of law was how the journey began for a few of The Florida Bar's 50-year members.

They all became Florida lawyers in 1954, but traveled many different paths to get there. Rene Zacchini, a circus star turned judge; Stephen Grimes, a math wiz who reached the Florida Supreme Court; and Manuel Zaiac, a Cuban immigrant, are just three of the 69 members of the graduating class of 1954 who were honored at The Florida Bar's 50-Year Member Luncheon June 25, during the Bar's Annual Meeting (after this News went to press).

Zacchini, a former circuit judge, came from a legacy of trapeze artists and human cannon balls. But he traded physical for verbal gymnastics when he decided to become a lawyer. His family shot to fame as the "The Flying Zacchinis" starring with Ringling Brothers and later headlining their own carnival.

It was decided by Zacchini's father that of his five children, the last two would go to college.

Since he was the youngest, it was deemed that his future profession would not include a safety net. But that didn't stop him from performing with his family on semester breaks from college.

After completing law school in 1954 he was drafted into the army--and back into the acrobatic life. Zacchini completed basic training, and because of his family background in entertainment, he spent most of his time doing shows in special services.

"I was doing an act with my brother," he said. "A comedy trampoline act that together with other acts was sort of a variety show."

He traveled with a unit entertaining troops at various bases across the country and overseas in the Far East.

Of his time under the big top he said, "I had a wonderful time in that business, but I felt at that time that the law profession was something that was appealing to me, and that's what I did."

After his tour of duty, Zacchini set Up an office in Tampa and later served for four years as a state representative for Hillsborough County.

Lonely Work

In the 1970s he was a judge of the 13th Circuit, and although he maintains that it was interesting work, he missed the camaraderie of lawyers.

"It was a very somber type occupation. You know when you're a lawyer you have a bunch of friends--comrades in the profession," Zacchini said. "But when you become a judge, it's not the same anymore because in a sense you're sort of isolated with the other members of the bench."

Since hanging up...