The Seal was designed and the original casting was made by the Board's Executive Director in 1962 and 1963. It was adopted by the Board subject to approval by the Supreme Court on January 10, 1964, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The Supreme Court of Florida unanimously approved the Seal on April 13, 1964, and the original casting was permanently deposited in the Supreme Court safe on that date.
The central figure on the Seal is a griffin, a universally accepted symbol for vigilance. The griffin is holding the Nordic symbol for fidelity which comes from Nordic mythology. Beneath the griffin appears the Latin phrase "Clemens iustitiae custodia." Custodia is the word used for keeping watch in order to protect, and Clementia is used technically for leniency in punishing offenses. Closely translated, this phrase means "Compassionate and vigilant protection of justice." Expanded, this would mean the watchful protection (or preservation) of justice, a watchful or protective preservation which is compassionate or merciful. The Arabic numerals "1955" indicate the year of the creation of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.