Robert Harris

Born Jacksonville, Florida, admitted 1975 Florida Bar and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; Division Chief, State Attorney’s Office Fourth Judicial Circuit, Florida 1977-1979; Certified Florida Supreme Court Civil Mediator 2003. Robert was appointed by two separate governors, (Gov. Scott and Gov. DeSantis) as the recent past chairman of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission, and currently serves as a member.

Robert was educated in the local public school system and graduated from Wolfson High School in 1969. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1973, Cum Laude, and the University of Florida Law School in 1975. Robert returned to Jacksonville and worked for Ed Austin as an Assistant State Attorney for three and a half years. He then practiced general litigation for seven years before founding Harris Guidi Rosner in 1986. Currently, the firm’s lawyers practice in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, workers’ compensation, social security, family, and general litigation. The firm represents the Catholic Diocese and Watson Real Estate for litigation matters. Robert Harris operates as the firm’s managing partner and practices general litigation.

Robert is married to Paola Parra-Harris, Esquire, and has five children, Vanessa, Blake, Chase, Lucas, and Marcus. All three of Robert’s older children are practicing attorneys and Chase is now a partner at HGR.

• Judicial Nomination Commission, Fourth Judicial Circuit (recent Chairman), 2017-Present
• Jacksonville Bar Association, Vice Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1988-1990
• The Florida Bar, Chairman, Grievance Committee A, 1988-1990
• Member, Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee, 1989-1991
• Florida State Fair Authority, 1995-1998
• National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), Executive Committee
• Chairman of the Board of Directors of the River Club
• Member of the Selection Team for Leadership Jacksonville, 2021
• Member of the American Legion
• Former Member of the HCA Hospital Board of Trustees (2008-2020)
• World Affairs Council 2022-Present
• Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Board of Advisors 2024-Present

• Chancellor University of Florida Honor Court
• University of Florida Hall of Fame
• Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities, 1975
• Jacksonville Bar Association Criminal Section, Vice Chairman 1988-1989
• Florida Bar Fee Arbitration Committee, 1984, 1985
• Florida Bar Grievance Committee, 1988-1989. Chairman 1990
• Florida Bar Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee
• Lawyer of the Year, Financial News and Daily Record, 2000
• Special Mayoral Appointment to Duval County Solid Waste Management Commission, 1991
• Leadership Jacksonville, 1993 - Present (Board Member – Current)
• Leadership Florida, 1995 – Present
• San Marco Merchant Association (Board President, 2018-2020)
• Jacksonville Women Lawyers Ally Award for support of gender equality in legal community (2020-2021)

• Jacksonville Electric Authority, Chairman, 1997-1999 (Board Member 1993-2000)
• Police Athletic League, Board of Directors, 2000-2002
• University of Florida, Regional Advisory Board, Chairman 2005-2012
• Epping Forest Yacht Club, Commodore, 2006-2007
• Rotary Club of South Jacksonville, President, 2008-2009
• Memorial Hospital, Board of Trustees, 2005-2020