The Florida Bar

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4TH CIRCUIT JNC ANNOUNCES CIRCUIT COURT JUDICIAL VACANCY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2023
CONTACT: Helen Peacock Roberson, Chair; [email protected]
Fourth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
TELEPHONE: 904-955-2907

As a result of the retirement of Judge Don Lester, there exists a vacancy on the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Bench. Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked the Fourth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission to provide him with highly qualified nominees to fill this vacancy.

Complete unredacted and redacted applications (see below for more information) for this vacancy must be received before 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 via e-mail to: [email protected]. We would prefer, but will not require, that applicants submit a total of two (2) PDF documents containing all application materials, attachments, photographs, etc. The documents should be styled “Lastname.Firstname.RedactedApplication.pdf” and “Lastname.Firstname.UnredactedApplication.pdf”.

Applications may be downloaded from the Office of the Governor at https://www.flgov.com/judicial-and-judicial-nominating-commission-information/ .

Interviews will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Chief Judge Lance M. Day’s Chambers on the 7th floor of the Duval County Courthouse.

Neither incomplete applications nor applications submitted after the deadline will be considered. Further, all applicants must meet the qualifications for Judges outlined in Article V, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution.

Personal information not subject to public disclosure should be redacted on a separate copy of the application as permitted by Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes. Please also e-mail a digital photo with the applications. All questions on the application must be fully and completely answered. Applications must include current contact information (especially direct phone numbers), including e-mail addresses for judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and references to facilitate the background investigation that the Commission will conduct.

All proceedings of the Judicial Nominating Commission are open to the public except for deliberations. Applicants, therefore, should not expect their application to be kept confidential.

If an applicant is nominated, all materials attached to the original application will be submitted to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Office.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Helen Peacock Roberson at the number or email address above. Applicants shall not initiate contact with the Commissioners until the nominees are submitted to Gov. Ron DeSantis unless questions pertain to the application process only.

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