Labarga selected as the next chief justice.

Jorge Labarga has worked as an assistant public defender, an assistant prosecutor, a private attorney, a trial court judge, and an appellate court judge. Soon he will add a new job: chief justice of the Supreme Court of Florida.

His six colleagues on Florida's high court voted unanimously January 29 to name Labarga chief justice-elect, the first Cuban-American to hold the post. He will begin his two-year term July 1. As chief justice, he will serve as the chief administrative officer of the entire state courts system.

"I am so honored to serve in such an important position," Labarga said. "I am deeply grateful for the trust of my colleagues and pledge to make sure our constitutional principles are enforced."

Only the second Cuban-American appointed to Florida's high court, Labarga came to Florida as an 11-year-old after the Cuban revolution, and he initially lived with his family in Pahokee.

Labarga, 61, graduated from Forest Hill High...