News & Featured Stories

Judge Florence Barner recognized as Legacy South Florida 40 Under 40

The Honorable Florence Taylor Barner has been recognized in the Legacy South Florida 40 Under 40 2021 issue, featuring black leaders of today and tomorrow. Congratulations, Judge Barner! Read the article posted on the Seventeenth Circuit’s website at this link: http://www.17th.flcourts.org/2021/08/24/legacy-magazine-recognizes-judge-barner-in-the-40-under-40-2021-issue/ Source: http://www.17th.flcourts.org/

Florida Supreme Court amends Administrative Order SC21-17 re COVID-19

This amended order is issued to modify and extend previously enacted temporary health and safety protocols and emergency operational measures. Amendment 1 to AOSC21-17 – In re: COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols & Emergency Operational Measures for Florida Appellate & Trial Courts (7/29/2021)

Conference of County Court Judges of Florida Award Recipients and Officer Swearing In Ceremony

PRESS RELEASE: Virtual Awards and Installation of Officers and Directors Ceremony 7-14-2021 Judge Thomas P. Thompson III of Marion County and President of the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, hosted a virtual ceremony on July 14th swearing in Conference officers and directors and honoring award recipients. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Canady administered […]

Nicole Mirra Appointed to Lee County Court

On July 12, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Nicole Mirra to serve as County Court Judge on the Lee County Court. Mirra, of Fort Myers, has served as staff counsel at Allstate Insurance since 2019. Previously, she served as an Assistant State Attorney for 13 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast […]

Julie Taylor Appointed to Duval County Court

On June 11, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Julie Taylor, of Jacksonville, to serve as Judge on the Duval County Court. Since 2017, Taylor has served as General Counsel for the 4th Judicial Circuit Court. In 2021, she became a Special Magistrate and Civil Traffic Infraction Hearing Officer. Previously in her career, she also served […]

Chief Justice Canady lifts courtroom COVID-19 restrictions, makes other changes

On June 4, 2021, Chief Justice Charles Canady issued an order allowing courts around Florida to lift requirements to wear masks and distance from others while in courtrooms during proceedings. Improved health measurements, increased vaccination rates, and updated official health guidance all prompted the changes. Read the full order at this link: https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/content/download/746675/file/AOSC21-17.pdf Source: Florida […]

Second Judicial Circuit Recognizes Drug Awareness Program Month

A news release issued May 24, 2021, by the Second Judicial Circuit regarding Drug Awareness Program Month, recognizes the dedicated leadership of Leon County Court Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson and other team members of the Adult Felony Drug Court Team. The team includes Judicial Assistant Blanca Delgado-Chavez, Assistant State Attorney Owen McCaul, Assistant Public Defender Edrene […]

J. Logan Murphy appointed Judge on the Hillsborough County Court

On May 28, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of J. Logan Murphy to the Hillsborough County Court. Murphy, of Tampa, has been a shareholder at Hill Ward Henderson since 2019 and began practicing with the firm in 2012. In between his time as an attorney with Hill Ward Henderson, he served as a […]