Francisco Rebollo López

Francisco Rebollo López
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
In office
1982–2008
Appointed byCarlos Romero Barceló
Preceded byCarlos Dávila Dávila
Succeeded byErick Kolthoff
Personal details
Born(1938-08-05)August 5, 1938
San Juan, Puerto Rico
DiedJune 24, 2025(2025-06-24) (aged 86)
EducationUniversity of Puerto Rico (BBA)
University of Puerto Rico School of Law (JD)
OccupationJudge

Francisco Rebollo López (Spanish: [fɾanˈsisko reˈβoʎo ˈlopes]; August 5, 1938 – June 24, 2025) was a Puerto Rican jurist, who served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico from 1982 until his mandatory retirement in 2008.[1][2]

Life and career

Rebollo completed studies at the School of Commercial Administration from the University of Puerto Rico, graduating in 1959 and received his law degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law in 1963. He worked as a legal officer to the then associate justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pérez Pimentel. In August 1966, he was appointed assistant prosecutor of the Superior Court of Puerto Rico by the then governor of Puerto Rico, Roberto Sánchez Vilella. In 1973, was appointed superior judge by Governor Rafael Hernández Colón and went to serve in various courts of Puerto Rico. He went into private law practice until Governor Carlos Romero Barceló appointed him to the Supreme Court. He took the oath of office in July 1982 after ratification by the Senate of Puerto Rico. In the court, Justice Rebollo took a moderate path in his judicial opinions, often being the swing vote in court decisions.

Rebollo held the position of Interim Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico during periods when the seat of Chief Justice has been vacant. He continued to serve as Associate Justice until his retirement in 2008.

He was affiliated with the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico.

Rebollo died on June 24, 2025, at the age of 86. He was buried at Buxeda Memorial Park Cemetery in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.[3]

References

  1. ^ Mariella Perez Serrano (April 28, 2005). "A Look Into The Inner Workings Of Puerto Rico's Supreme Court". Puerto Rico Herald. "I have held office for the past 23 years," said Rebollo López, who is currently the justice with the most seniority in the Supreme Court and who also served as interim chief justice when former Chief Justice Andreu García retired.
  2. ^ "HON. FRANCISCO REBOLLO LÓPEZ" (in Spanish).
  3. ^ "Fallece exjuez asociado Francisco Rebollo López". Metro. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.