Steven Miller, a 2013 graduate of the FAMU College of Law has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, effective June 2, 2025. The circuit covers Orange and Osceola counties, where Miller built much of his legal career as a prosecutor.
From finance to the bench
Miller, a first-generation college graduate raised in Ocoee, initially pursued a finance degree at the University of Central Florida (2009) before realizing his true calling. “Law is the game of life,” he said. “It regulates everything—business, relationships, justice. Combining legal and financial knowledge became my path to serving communities meaningfully.”
His time at FAMU Law proved transformative. Participation in the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office Prosecution Clinic—a program pairing students with real cases—catapulted him into a role as an Assistant State Attorney after graduation. Over 11 years, Miller honed his reputation in Orange County (7 years) and Lake County (4 years) as a fair, principled advocate, handling thousands of cases ranging from DUIs to violent crimes.
“Do Right”: A judicial philosophy forged in service
Now ascending to the bench, Miller vows to uphold the simplicity of his guiding mantra: “Be a good person and do right.” He credits FAMU Law’s emphasis on practical training for his trajectory, urging current students to “lean into clinics, trial teams, and every chance to practice the craft. Those experiences don’t just teach skills—they reveal your purpose.”
Beyond the courtroom: junkyards, family, and future mentorship
Outside work, Miller recharges by tinkering with cars—a hobby that sends him scavenging for parts in local junkyards—and spending time with his wife and two children. Looking ahead, he hopes to return to FAMU Law as an adjunct professor, teaching trial practice and criminal procedure. “Mentorship shaped me,” he said. “I want to pay that forward.”
Miller’s appointment underscores FAMU Law’s mission to cultivate legal leaders. “Judge Miller embodies what we instill in our students: excellence, integrity, and service,” said Cecil Howard, FAMU Law's interim dean and associate provost. “His journey—from Ocoee to the courtroom—proves that preparation and heart can redefine justice in our communities.”
Miller’s investiture ceremony is set for August 2025. He will oversee cases in the Ninth Circuit, which handles over 300,000 matters annually.