SPBCBA Run for the Brave 5K to Benefit Palm Beach County Legal Aid Society's Veteran Advocacy Project

The South Palm Beach County Bar Association is honored to have The Honorable Howard Coates, Jr. as the Honorary Judicial Chair of the First Annual Race for the Brave 5K to benefit Palm Beach County Legal Aid Society's Veteran's Advocacy Project.

Judge Coates grew up here in Palm Beach County and has been actively involved in the community for many years. Judge Coates is a former Marine and had even considered accepting the prestigious appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He spent six years in the Marine Corps, four of which were on active duty, had earned the rank of Sergeant in two years, and received numerous awards for outstanding service. Although he contemplated pursuing a career in the military, Judge Coates ultimately chose to attend the University of Florida (an obviously smart move!), graduating phi beta kappa with a B.A. in Political Science
(’82) and the distinction of being the only student that year to attend Yale Law School. At Yale, Judge Coates served as Associate Member of the Yale Law Journal, a Senior Editor of the Yale Law and Policy Review, and a Director of the Urban Legal Workshop and the Yale Law and Technology Association. He was also a director for the school’s State’s Attorney’s Program, where he tried misdemeanor cases for the County of New Haven. Coming from humble roots, Judge Coates worked his way to the Ivy Leagues and to where he is now. Growing up, he helped out in his father’s upholstery business and then worked as a Publix bagboy. At Twin Lakes high school, Judge Coates explored his diverse interests, playing football and wrestling, while participating in the school’s speech and debate team.
 At UF, he held two jobs to help pay for college, working at night as a cashier in a local convenience store. While at Yale, Judge Coates continued to work his way through law school, including detailing cars at a local car wash. Following graduation, Judge Coates returned to Palm Beach County, where he has practiced
law for almost thirty years before his appointment to the bench in 2014.  Judge Coates is a former Board member and President of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association and remains active encouraging lawyers to get involved with the Bar Association, as well as with other civic organizations. Judge Coates dedicates his time and resources to numerous causes and groups, including serving, prior to his appointment to the Bench, as a long-standing member of the Board of Directors for the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, as an active member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, and the Wellington Rotary Club, and as a former member of the Board of Directors for the Wellington Boys and Girls Club. The Boy Scouts are also dear to Judge Coates’ heart. He was one of the founding members of Boy Scout Troop 190 at Melaleuca Elementary, where he was the Senior Patrol Leader of the troop, and ultimately attained Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. Continuing his support of Scouting while at UF, Judge Coates served as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Gainesville. And after starting a family, Judge Coates served as the Cubmaster for Pack 208 at Wellington’s Panther Run Elementary for two years. Judge Coates met his wife Cheri, while on the UF Speech and Debate Team. They have four children, Colby, Kelsey, Colton, and Cameron. 

Judge Coates has been awarded many honors over the years.  On November 27, 2023 Judge Coates received the Florida Patriot Award from the Palm Beach County Bar Association.  The award is given to a judge or lawyer who has served their Country and made a positive impact on their local community.

Registration/Packet Pickup:  6:00am-6:45am

5K Run/Walk:  Begins promptly at 7:00am

Wednesday May 28th, Thursday, May 29th, and Friday, May 30th

GrayRobinson, 2255 Glades Road, Suite 301E, Boca Raton, FL  33431

12:00pm - 5:00pm.

Race Day:  Sunset Cove Pavillion, South County Regional Park, 6:00am-6:45am

All park entrances to South County Regional Park will close at 6:45am due to road closures.