5 Landmark Cases: How The Florida Justice Institute Inc. Is Reshaping Civil Rights In 2025
Contents
The Legacy of a Civil Rights Pioneer: Randall C. Berg, Jr.
The foundation of the Florida Justice Institute’s enduring mission is rooted in the vision of its founder, Randall C. Berg, Jr. Randall Challen Berg, Jr. was an American lawyer and a towering figure in Florida’s civil rights movement. He served as the Founding Executive Director of the Florida Justice Institute (FJI) for four decades, from its inception in 1978 until his retirement in 2018. Berg co-founded the civil rights nonprofit with the goal of tackling systemic injustices through impact litigation, focusing especially on the rights of incarcerated individuals. His work was instrumental in landmark cases that addressed issues like overcrowding, medical neglect, and abuse within the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) system. He passed away on April 10, 2019, at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of tireless advocacy. In recognition of his lifelong achievements in improving the justice system, Berg was posthumously honored with the 2024 Jane Elizabeth Curran Distinguished Service Award. He is survived by his wife, Carol Berg, and his son, Randall C. Berg III.New Leadership and the 2025 Strategic Focus
The Florida Justice Institute continues its impactful work under the guidance of its current leadership team, ensuring the mission of systemic change remains paramount. Michael J. Langley was appointed as the new Executive Director of FJI in December 2023, bringing a fresh perspective to the organization’s advocacy efforts. Langley previously served as the Director of Social Impact & Racial Equity, demonstrating a clear focus on intersectional justice issues. The leadership team also includes Dante P. Trevisani as the Litigation Director, and Jessica M. Pla as the Director of Operations, alongside Ray Taseff, a Senior Attorney. Under this new direction, FJI has intensified its focus on what it calls the "criminalization of poverty," which has led to a series of high-profile lawsuits against local governments. The organization's strategy is to challenge laws that disproportionately affect the homeless and low-income populations, framing these issues as fundamental civil rights violations.FJI’s 5 Most Impactful Recent Cases and Advocacy Campaigns
The Florida Justice Institute’s power lies in its impact litigation, using the courts to force systemic reforms rather than just seeking damages for individuals. The following cases represent their most current and significant work across Florida.1. Challenging the Criminalization of Poverty: The Panhandling Lawsuits
FJI has taken a leading role in challenging municipal ordinances that ban or heavily restrict panhandling, arguing they violate free speech rights and punish poverty. * Hillsborough County Lawsuit (Filed July 2025): The FJI filed a lawsuit against Hillsborough County over an ordinance that effectively criminalizes the act of asking drivers for help. This case is a critical test of the rights of indigent individuals to solicit aid in public spaces. * City of Miami Panhandling Ban: FJI, in partnership with Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP, filed a lawsuit challenging Miami's ordinance, asserting that it infringes upon the First Amendment right to free speech. * St. Johns County Ordinance: Working with Southern Legal Counsel (SLC), FJI also filed a federal lawsuit challenging a similar St. Johns County law, broadening the fight against these types of restrictions across the state. These cases collectively aim to establish a legal precedent that protects the rights of homeless and impoverished Floridians.2. The Sweltering Heat Crisis in Florida Prisons
One of the most pressing and inhumane issues FJI is tackling is the lack of air conditioning in many Florida prisons, which subjects inmates to dangerously high temperatures. * Dade Correctional Institution Lawsuit: The FJI filed a major lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) on behalf of those incarcerated at Dade Correctional and other facilities. * The suit alleges that the sweltering heat constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, a violation of the Eighth Amendment. * This litigation is part of a broader criminal justice reform effort to improve prison and jail conditions and prevent abuse of incarcerated people.3. Litigation Over Inmate Medical Neglect and Eye Surgery Backlogs
FJI is actively fighting against systemic medical neglect within the FDC. * In a recent lawsuit, the FJI sued the state over a massive backlog of necessary eye surgeries. * State records from 2024 revealed that more than 1,000 inmates were on a wait list for surgery, with some being denied care for years, resulting in severe vision loss and potential blindness. * This case highlights FJI’s commitment to ensuring that basic, life-altering medical care is provided to all incarcerated individuals.4. Advocacy for Fair Housing and Against Discrimination
Beyond prison reform, the FJI uses its platform for housing discrimination and poverty advocacy. * FJI’s work in this area involves representing individuals and communities facing unfair housing practices and working to dismantle systemic barriers to stable living. * This includes challenging discriminatory policies and advocating for affordable housing solutions for underinvested communities.5. Defending Civil Rights and Preventing Abuse
The FJI’s core mission is to defend the civil rights of Florida’s most vulnerable populations. * Their litigation efforts are designed to prevent the recurrence of abuses, such as excessive force by prison staff and denial of constitutional rights. * By focusing on impact litigation, FJI ensures that the legal outcomes benefit a broad class of people, not just the named plaintiffs. The ongoing work of the Florida Justice Institute, Inc. is a testament to the power of dedicated public interest law. From challenging local panhandling ordinances that target the poor to fighting the state on prison heat conditions and inmate medical care, FJI is consistently pushing the boundaries of legal reform. Their strategic use of impact litigation under the leadership of Michael J. Langley ensures that the rights of Florida's disenfranchised residents—including those experiencing homelessness, those in poverty, and those incarcerated—are vigorously defended. The legacy of Randall C. Berg, Jr. lives on in every case that seeks to improve criminal justice reform and secure true social justice across the Sunshine State.
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