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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
On May 28, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Polk County Court Judge Lori Winstead to the Tenth Circuit Court. Judge Winstead has been a judge on the Polk County Court since 2019. Before her service on the bench, she was an assistant state attorney in the 10th Circuit for over ten years. […]
On May 18, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Lori Cotton to the Marion County Court. Cotton has served as an assistant state attorney in the Fifth Judicial Circuit since 2001. For seven years, she served as Training Director for the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office providing training for the 100+ assistant […]
On May 6, 2021, Chief Justice Charles Canady amended orders issued during the pandemic to end restrictions to enter and move through public parts of courthouses throughout the state. The amended orders keep in place mask and distancing requirements during in-person courtroom proceedings only. Watch the video and read the full article and amended administrative […]
The Florida Supreme Court issued an administrative order mandating that effective April 30, 2021, all chief judges in the state are to actively manage civil cases. The court also outlined the specific criteria to be adopted by the judicial circuits. View Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 20-23, Amendment 12
Leon County Court Judge Nina Ashenafi Richardson was awarded the Judicial Outreach Award by the Florida Court Public Information Officers at a virtual awards ceremony held on Wednesday, April 7. Judge Ashenafi Richardson chaired the Education and Outreach Workgroup of Florida’s Judicial Management Council which wrote the 2016 Communication Plan for the Judicial Branch of […]
On March 30, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the judicial appointment of Michael Deen, of Winter Park, to serve as Judge on the Orange County Court. Deen has served as an assistant state attorney in the Ninth Circuit since 2012. He received his bachelor’s degree from Samford University and his law degree from Barry University […]
