SHEPPARD, WurTE, KACHERGUS & DEMAGGIO, P.A. ‘Attorneys & Counselors at Law 215 WASHINGTON STREET JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32202 WM. J, SHEPPARD 904/356-9661 MATTHEW R, KACHERGUS Boatd Certified Criminal Til Langer “Telefax 904/356-9667 ELIZABETH L WHITE Cece BRYAN E. DEMAGGIO {Also amie ro the Oregon Bar January 6, 2015 The Honorable Ronnie Fussell Clerk of Circuit Court Duval County Courthouse 500 West Adams Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Dear Mr. Fussell: We are writing as counsel for the Plaintiffs in Brenner v. Scott which declared that the Florida proscriptions against same-sex marriage are unconstitutional Because of the concerns which brought about the lawsuit in Brenner v. Scott, we are concemed by your announced decision to discontinue courthouse wedding services for couples who obtain Duval County marriage licenses from your office. You have publicly stated that all marriage ceremonies are being discontinued because, at your inquiry, certain clerk staff have indicated they are uncomfortable performing same-sex wedding services. Additionally, you have dismantled the wedding arbor which was designed to be part of the courthouse and wt is funded by taxpayer dollars and fees received to conduct these services, Marriage has been recognized as a fundamental right under our country’s laws. Thats the basis for the recent rulings that committed same-sex couples have as much right to marital status ‘as opposite-sex couples. Same-sex marital rights are not intended to be a limited, constricted form of marriage which is less than the panoply of marital rights historically available to opposite-sex couples. The availability of courthouse weddings has long been the custom, practice and tradition in the Duval County Courthouses for years. It has been an integral part of the overall process and has been valuable and helpful to many couples, especially when of limited financial means. Hence the inclusion of the wedding chapel area in the design for the recently-opened courthouse. The withdrawal of courthouse weddings has very regrettably burdened the marital process for those couples who previously would have been aided by the custom, practice and tradition in place for ‘so many years. We are open to working out some arrangement with you that will continue the courthouse marriage services for people wishing them without a broadening of the same-sex litigation which has been so much in the news. We would rather work something out harmoniously in everyone's interests than to look to the courts for a resolution. As before, we shall want to go to court only as a last resort.The Honorable Ronnie Fussell Clerk of Circuit Court January 6, 2015, Page Two If you wish to explore a non-ltigative resolution with us, we want you to know we shall be receptive. You also should understand that if something is not worked out amicably, renewal of litigation will be inevitable, regardless of the expense and effort required for all parties. If you wish to see what can be worked out, please have your counsel contact us. If we do not hear from you or anyone on your behalf by the close of business on Friday, January 9, 2015, we shall assume that you have decided that you prefer to litigate for whatever reason might impel you, Yours trul Spoil )Soedven ‘Samuel S. Jacolison Bledsoe, Jacobson, Schmidt, Wright, Wilkinson & Sussman A WilliantJ. Shépbard Elizabeth L. White Sheppard, White, Kachergus & DeMaggio, P.A. ‘Suebonner james ek 3) (2 Chl Judge Mark Mahon