On July 22, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment Kristina “Tina” Lightel, of Pensacola, to serve as Judge on the Escambia County Court. Lightel is an Assistant Regional Counsel in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Previously, she worked as an Attorney for the Department of Children and Families and as […]
News & Featured Stories
Governor Ron DeSantis appoints County Court Judge Melanie Surber to Fifteenth Circuit Court
On July 8, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed County Court Judge Melanie Surber to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Melanie Surber, of Delray Beach, has served as a Judge on the Palm Beach County Court since her appointment by Governor DeSantis in 2019. Previously, she served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General for 19 years […]
The Honorable Wayne Shoemaker Retires
After 23 years of service on the Orange County bench, Judge Wayne Shoemaker retired on June 3. See the article on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida’s webpage: https://ninthcircuit.org/news/honorable-wayne-shoemaker-retire
DeSoto County Court Judge Danielle Brewer appointed to Twelfth Circuit Court
On May 27, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Danielle Brewer, Manatee County Court Judge to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court. Danielle Brewer, of Arcadia, will serve as Judge on the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court. Brewer has served as a Judge on the DeSoto County Court since her appointment by Governor Rick Scott […]
Sarah Jones appointed to Lake County Court by Governor Ron DeSantis
On May 27, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Sarah Jones, of Mount Dora, to serve as Judge on the Lake County Court Jones has served as a General Magistrate in Lake County since December of 2019. Previously, she served as an Attorney in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel […]
Obituary JUDGE MARK EISSEY 1962-2022
With a very heavy heart, the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit announces the passing of the Hon. Mark Eissey, County Judge. He served on the Palm Beach County Court from 2005-2022. Read the Twitter notice here: Judge Mark Eissey
Duval County Court Judge Michelle Kalil Serves to Change Lives
Article of interest in recent issue of Attorney at Law magazine featuring Duval County Court Judge Michelle Kalil’s drive to serve. Read the article here: https://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/judge-michelle-kalil
County Court Judge Tina Caraballo on Mediation
Orange County Judge Tina Caraballo discusses the process called “mediation” where the two parties of a case work cooperatively with a mediator to come to a resolution without the need to go to trial. Listen to her conversation with Chief Judge and Open Ninth Host Lisa T. Munyon on Episode 151 of “Know Your Courts” […]
Governor DeSantis appoints Lorelie Brannan to Baker County Court
On May 9, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the judicial appointment of Lorelie Brannan, of Macclenny, to serve as Judge on the Baker County Court. Brannan has served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Eighth Judicial Circuit since 2008. Previously, she served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. She received […]