Former Supreme Court Justice visits alma mater, St. Theresa School

CORAL GABLES | As part of their social studies curriculum, seventh and eighth grade students at St. Theresa School learned about the workings of the federal and state judicial systems from a real expert: former Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul G. Cantero, III.

A 1974 alumnus of St. Theresa, Cantero visited at the end of April, and spoke to all 191 students gathered in Comber Hall. He had been invited by middle school social studies teacher Daniel Serrano, who is also Cantero’s brother-in-law.

“I met Mr. Cantero in August 2003, when I was coaching basketball at the only Catholic high school in Tallahassee, and we became fast friends,” said Serrano. “I met his sister, Anuka, and not too many years later, we started dating, and then married in 2011. Now, our son Daniel attends pre-K3 at St. Theresa School.”

“I came to St. Theresa Catholic School when I was seven years old, in the second grade,” said Cantero. “I graduated in 1974, and went on to Christopher Columbus High School. I then received my bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, and my law degree from Harvard Law School. I learned the value of self-discipline and studying from my training at St. Theresa.”

He also met his wife, Ana Maria Perdomo — another St. Theresa alumna — and they married in the Church of the Little Flower in 1983.  

In his law career, Cantero has handled more than 250 appeals and 100 oral arguments. 

“I worked for 14 years at a law firm in Miami, specializing in appellate law. When a case is heard in a lower court, and they don’t agree with the decision, they can go to a higher court and appeal. A panel of three judges decides what will happen in the appellate court,” Cantero explained to students.

In 2002, there was an opening on the Florida Supreme Court and his friends and family encouraged him to apply. He said he would consider it only if it were God’s will.

“I needed a strong message from God, and it just so happened I was going on an Emmaus retreat that weekend. I thought if a particular friend of mine called me and told me I should apply, I would strongly consider it. I spent a lot of time praying in the chapel.”

The Monday morning after the retreat, Cantero received a voice mail from that friend suggesting he apply for the opening.  

“I called my wife to tell her, and she told me that she was unpacking a box, and there was an article about the Florida Supreme Court sitting in the box,” recalled Cantero. “We felt God was telling us something so we went to the Blessed Sacrament and prayed.”  

He applied for the position. The nine-member commission selected Cantero as one of the finalists to be interviewed by Gov. Jeb Bush, and he was selected. On July 10, 2002, he joined Florida's Supreme Court.  

The family moved to Tallahassee, away from family and friends in Miami.. They returned after six years of service.

Currently, Cantero is a partner in the international law firm of White & Case, and heads the Miami Appellate Practice Group.

During his visit to St. Theresa, he focused on the Florida State Court System and how it works. He explained the differences between County Courts, Circuit Courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Then the students asked questions.

“What was the hardest part of studying at Harvard?” asked one.

“Everyone was super smart, and came from Ivy League schools,” responded Cantero. “They strove for excellence, and I had to learn how to keep up with that.”

“Why did you choose to study law?” asked another.

“I was chosen to be the prosecutor in a mock trial when I was at Christopher Columbus High School, and I liked it,” explained Cantero. “I remember saying ‘I can do this!’”

“What would you do if you were not an attorney?” asked another student.

“I would be a novelist.  I love to write fiction,” answered Cantero.