4TH DCA JNC ANNOUNCES JUDICIAL VACANCIES AND ACCEPTING JUDICIAL APPLICATIONS
Gov. Ron DeSantis has convened the Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission to provide him with names of highly qualified nominees for two vacancies on the Fourth District Court of Appeal created by the retirement of Judge Melanie G. May and the confirmation of Judge Jeffrey T. Kuntz to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Qualifications for Applicants. The Commission requests that interested candidates submit an application for consideration. Applicants must meet the qualifications for district court judges described in Article V, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution.
Instructions for Submission:
1) Applications. The current Judicial Application form must be used and can be downloaded in Word version from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ website. Applicants must use the correct and current form.
2) Applicants must submit two versions of the Application, one unredacted, and one with personal information redacted, both in .PDF form. (The redacted version should redact the information not subject to public disclosure as permitted by Section 119.071, Florida Statutes.)
3) The filename for .pdf applications should be: “LASTNAME FIRSTNAME District Application (redacted /unredacted).” The Application must not exceed 8 MB. The Application should include a recent photograph.
4) Application Deadline: SEPT. 28, 2026, no later than 4 p.m.
5) Applicants must submit both versions (redacted and unredacted) by email no later than 4 p.m., on Sept. 28, 2026 to the following individuals: (1) Greg Schwinghammer at [email protected], (2) Debra Jenks at [email protected], with a cc to (3) [email protected].
6) Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
7) Upon receipt of the application by the JNC, the applicant will receive an email response acknowledging receipt. If an applicant does not receive an acknowledgement, the applicant should contact Greg Schwinghammer, 561-650-0595 to verify receipt.
8) Interview Date: The JNC will interview applicants on October 21, 2026, at the Fourth DCA courthouse. A schedule will be published later. The public is welcome.
NOTE TO APPLICANTS: To assist the Judicial Nominating Commission in its review of applications, all questions must be fully and completely answered. Applications must include current contact information, including e-mail addresses, for references, opposing counsel, co-counsel, and judges to facilitate the background investigation that will be conducted by the members of the Commission.
Additional Information:
After the applications are submitted, the Commission will publish an interview schedule. The Commission will publish an additional notice containing the names of the applicants, the schedule of interviews, and information for any member of the public who wishes to attend the public portion of that meeting.
All interviews will be done in person. No telephonic or video conference interviews will be scheduled.
All proceedings of the Commission are open to the public, except for deliberations. Applicants should not expect their applications to be kept confidential.
If an applicant is nominated, all materials attached to the application will be submitted to the Governor.
Members of the bench, the Bar and the public are urged to contact the members of the Commission concerning applicants for judicial positions.
If you have any questions about this release, please call Greg Schwinghammer at (561) 650-0595, or email at [email protected].
The Members of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fourth District Court of Appeal are:
Greg Schwinghammer
Gunster Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.
777 S. Flagler Drive, Suite 500 East
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Office: 561-650-0595
Debra Jenks
Debra A. Jenks, P.A.
10130 Northlake Blvd Ste 214-242
West Palm Beach, FL 33412-1105
Office: 561-346-9854
Paul Lopez
Tripp Scott, P.A.
110 SE 6th St Fl 15
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-5004
Office: 954-525-7500
Jonathan Osborne
Gunster
450 E Las Olas Blvd Ste 1400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-4206
Office: 954-468-1322
Casey Walker
Murphy & Walker, P.L.
2001 US Highway 1
Vero Beach, FL 32960-5493
Office: 772-231-1900
Robert Allen
Robert Allen Law
249 Royal Palm Way Ste 301
Palm Beach, FL 33480-4333
Office: 305-372-3300
Patricia Flanagan
Shutts & Bowen LLP
525 Okeechobee Blvd Ste 1100
West Palm Beach, FL 33401-6351
Office: 561-835-8500
Daniel Epstein
FIU College of Law
11200 S.W. 8th St., Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall
Miami, FL 33199
Office: (305) 348-7368
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EDITORS: Please note The Florida Bar is not an association and "Association" is not part of our name. Proper reference is "The Florida Bar." Local bar organizations are properly termed "associations."