3 days ago
Courthouse law library renamed after civil rights trailblazer, late Judge Edward Rodgers
WEST PALM BEACH — The law library inside the Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse now bears the name of one of Palm Beach County's most revered civil rights figures and legal pioneers: Judge Edward Rodgers.
The Palm Beach County Commission voted in April to rename the library the Judge Edward Rodgers Law Library, honoring the late jurist's groundbreaking career and enduring contributions to justice and public service. The renaming, initiated by Chief Judge Glenn Kelley, was commemorated with an official unveiling ceremony on May 29.
Rodgers made history throughout his 22-year tenure in the 15th Judicial Circuit. He became the first Black judge appointed in Palm Beach County in 1973, having already broken barriers as the county's first Black prosecutor. He later served as the circuit's first Black chief judge, leading the judiciary from 1983 to 1985.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1927, Rodgers moved to West Palm Beach in 1950 and experienced firsthand the segregation that defined the region. Denied admission to the University of Miami School of Law due to his race, he instead attended Florida A&M University's law school.
After entering legal practice, Rodgers quickly emerged as a civil rights leader, pushing to desegregate institutions like the West Palm Beach Police Department and what is now Good Samaritan Medical Center.
Read more: Hundreds gather to mourn Edward Rodgers, civil rights trailblazer and legal giant
Rodgers built a reputation as both a compassionate judge and a fierce advocate for equality throughout his career. In 1991, he founded the Riviera Beach Civil Drug Court, among the first of its kind, offering treatment and rehabilitation rather than incarceration. The effort earned him the Jefferson Award, often referred to as the Nobel Prize for public service.
After retiring from the bench in 1995, Rodgers remained a powerful voice in public life. He served as mayor and councilman of Riviera Beach and was the first chairman of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. His final years were spent mentoring public servants and challenging the conscience of local institutions.
Rodgers died in 2018 at the age of 91, survived by three children and a legacy that helped shape Palm Beach County's legal and civic landscape.
Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Law library renamed to honor late judge and civic icon Edward Rodgers
