Lua Joy Lepianka of Gainesville to serve as judge on the Alachua County Court: Lepianka has served as an assistant state attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit since 2003. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and her juris doctor from the University of Florida. Lepianka fills the judicial vacancy created by Judge […]
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Governor DeSantis appoints a new county court judge to the First Judicial Circuit
Governor DeSantis appointed Patrick King to fill the vacant Santa Rosa County Court judgeship created by Judge Matthew Gordon’s appointment to the circuit court. Patrick King is currently serving as an assistant state attorney in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Governor DeSantis appoints three to the County Bench
Governor DeSantis has made three appointments to the County Bench: Lua Joy Lepianka to the Alachua County Bench Johenna Benedi to the Miami-Dade County Bench Gustavo Losa to the Miami-Dade County Bench Welcome to the fold!
Governor DeSantis appoints three to the County Court Bench
Three more join our fold: George Young is appointed to the Putnam County Court; Bryanna Bynum is appointed to the Seminole County Court; and Hunter Morrill is appointed to the Volusia County Court. Welcome all!
Governor DeSantis appoints two to Florida County Benches
In letters dated May 12, 2026, Governor DeSantis has appointed two more to the County Courts of Florida: Shelby Senn shall join the Sumter County bench and Alicia Carothers will take her place on the Bay County bench. Congratulations to both!
Governor DeSantis is busy appointing new County Court Judges
The Governor’s Office has announced the following appointments to County Court benches across the State: Miami-Dade has two new judges, Andrew McGinley and Michelle Roth; Pinellas adds Olivier Lindeman to the bench; and Polk County’s newest judge is Jordan Wells. Welcome to the fold, all!
County Judges on the move
Governor DeSantis has moved the following county court judges to circuit court slots: Judge Knute Nathe, 6th Circuit Judge Kevin Kohl, 10th Circuit Judge Elisabeth Espinoza, 11th Circuit Judge Jorge Santiago, 11th Circuit Judge Guy Flowers, 12th Circuit Congratulations and good luck in your new positions!
Seminole County announces the passing of Retired Judge Woodard
The Seminole County Bar Association announces the passing of Retired Judge John Woodard, III: In Memory of Judge John L Woodard, III, It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Judge John L. Woodard, Ill. Although Judge Woodard left the bench last year, he did not do so before leaving […]
Making room on the County Bench, Governor DeSantis makes four appointments
According to the Office of the Governor’s website, Governor DeSantis has made the following appointments: David Peters has been appointed to the Osceola County Bench; Judge Matthew Gordon of Santa Rosa County has been appointed to the First Circuit; Judge Mark Skipper of Orange County has been appointed to the Ninth Circuit; and Judge Andrew […]
Governor DeSantis appoints two to County Court Benches
On April 15, 2026, the Governor sent letters to two people appointing them to two different benches across the State. Marci Rex has been appointed to the Palm Beach County bench and Hillary Ellis to the Manatee County bench. Welcome! We hope to see you at the conference in July!