Peter R. Lopez

Peter R. Lopez serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at St. Thomas University College of Law while concurrently holding judicial office as an elected judge on Florida's 11th Circuit Court since 1996, with re-elections in 2002 and 2009 without opposition. His dual roles bridge practical courtroom experience with legal education.

His academic appointment complements his judicial duties where he presides over both civil and criminal divisions, handling complex caseloads including capital murder trials, public corruption cases, medical malpractice disputes, maritime/Jones Act claims, personal injury litigation, and intricate commercial matters.

Judge Lopez holds foundational education from the University of Florida:

• B.A., University of Florida
• J.D., University of Florida

His specialized expertise manifests in Trial Advocacy Practice instruction at the law school, directly informed by decades of courtroom experience across diverse legal domains. Current professional engagements include membership on the Education Committee and Teaching Faculty of the Conference of Circuit Judges, service on the Commission on Trial Court Performance and Accountability, and representation as District Representative to the Circuit Conference of Circuit Judges.

Recognition for professional excellence includes:

• League of Prosecutors’ Justice Award
• Miami-Dade Justice Association’s Judge Steve Levin Award

Prior to the bench, Judge Lopez operated a sole general practice covering civil, family, and real estate law, establishing the practical foundation for his judicial and academic contributions to legal education and courtroom procedure.