James Sanderlin

James B. Sanderlin, born on January 2, 1929, in Petersburg, Virginia, was a legal titan
who carved a path for justice in Florida, especially in the city of St. Petersburg. As the
first Black judge in Pinellas County and later a Florida Circuit Court judge, Sanderlin
used the law as a tool for equality, pushing for desegregation and defending the rights
of the Black community.

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Sanderlin’s most significant contribution came as the lead attorney in a landmark federal
lawsuit that desegregated Pinellas County’s public schools in the 1960s. His work
wasn’t just about breaking down barriers in education but about giving Black students
the same opportunities that white students had long enjoyed. This victory laid the
foundation for future progress across Florida, particularly in St. Petersburg and
Clearwater, where segregation had deep roots.

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Judge Sanderlin’s life was a testament to the power of law in dismantling injustice. His
quiet strength and relentless pursuit of equality made him a pillar in Florida’s civil rights
movement. His legacy is a reminder that the fight for justice is not always loud;
sometimes, it’s about persistence and the courage to push forward, even in the face of
overwhelming opposition.