The Florida Supreme Court Historical Society hosted a ‘”Fireside Chat” between Justice John Couriel, left, and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as part of its “A Supreme Evening 2024.” Gonzales and Couriel each graduated from Harvard Law School before going on to serve as state supreme court justices, and each of their careers led them to roles within the U.S. Department of Justice.

On September 11, 2001, White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales, alongside other presidential advisors and national security experts, joined President George W. Bush in the study adjacent the Oval Office. They engaged in discussions about their individual experiences on that fateful day and collaborated on crafting the president’s address to the nation later that evening.

During the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society’s Annual Dinner in Tallahassee on January 18, Gonzales recalled the moment, stating he vividly remembers asking the president, “What can we do to help you?” Bush responded with simplicity, “Just do your job. If you do your job, and I do my job, we will be as good as we can be.”