D. Burke Kibler
(1924-2009) was one of Florida’s pre-eminent trial lawyers of the 1950s-1990s. A lifelong resident of Lakeland, Kibler graduated from high school in 1941, attended the University of Florida briefly before serving in the Army as an artillery forward observer during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" and the Purple Heart with Oak leaf Cluster. In 1949 Kibler graduated from the University of Florida Law School and began practicing with his father-in-law, Thomas W. Bryant, in Lakeland, FL. In 1964 he became a partner in the law firm of Holland, Bevis Smith, Kibler & Hall. In 1968 that firm merged with the Tampa firm of Knight, Jones, Whitaker & Germany, and became Holland & Knight, now one of the nation's largest leading law firms. Mr. Kibler served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Holland & Knight from 1983 to 1995 and was awarded the title of Chairman Emeritus. He remained in the Army Reserves for 14 years, reaching the rank of major. He was an advocate for higher education and served as Chairman of the Board of Regents, the former governing body for Florida's university system, and on the Council of 100, the Governor's advisory board. He also served as general counsel of the Florida Citrus Commission and the Florida Phosphate Council. He served as Director of numerous corporations, including Florida National Bank, Florida Federal Savings and Loan Association, Citrus & Chemical Bank, Bok Tower Sanctuary, Inc., The Florida House, Orange Bowl Committee, Lakeland Economic Development Council, and Southeastern Legal Foundation, Inc.
Subjects: Early Lakeland History, Student life at University of Florida, World War II, African-American involvement in; segregation, reflections on phosphate business, John F. Kennedy, Chesterfield Smith, Thomas Bryant, Charley Johns, Johns Committee, Dan McCarty, Homer Hooks, Scott Kelly, Spessard Holland, Pepper-Smathers race (1950), George Smathers, Leroy Collins, formation of Holland and Knight Law firm, political career of Lawton Chiles, 1970 Senate Race, Farris Bryant, Claude Kirk, Florida Board of Regents, Reubin Askew, 1988 Senate Race