Governor appoints 11 judges in May
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed 11 trial judges in May, including:
- Reid Scott II of Wellington to serve as judge on the 15th Judicial Circuit Court
Scott has served as an assistant state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit since 2006. Previously, he worked at Freenman, Goldis & Cash. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Scott fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Paige Kilbane.
- Danielle Sherriff of Boynton Beach to serve as judge on the Palm Beach County Court
Sherriff has served as the senior litigation attorney for the Palm Beach County School District since 2022. Previously, she was an associate at Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, and prior to that she served as an assistant state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and her juris doctor from Florida State University. Sherriff fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge John Parnofiello.
- Kristin Kanner of Hollywood to serve as judge on the 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Kanner has served as a director for the Department of Children and Families since 2013. Previously, she served as an assistant state attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her juris doctor from the University of Florida. Kanner fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles Greene.
- Elaine Carbuccia of Davie to serve as judge on the 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Carbuccia has served as a law clerk for Judge Raag Singhal of the United States District Court since 2020. Previously, she was as a judicial staff attorney for the 17th Circuit Court. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and her juris doctor from St. Thomas University. Carbuccia fills the judicial vacancy created by the passing of Judge Linda Alley.
- Christine Bandín of Miami to the 11th Circuit Court
Bandín has served as a judge on the Miami-Dade County Court since her appointment in 2019. Previously, she was a partner at Shutts & Bowen. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and her juris doctor from the University of Miami. Bandín fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Alan Fine.
- Cory Chandler of Tampa to serve as judge on the Hillsborough County Court
Chandler has worked as an attorney at Spector Gadon Rosen Vinci since 2008. Previously, he was the owner of The Chandler Law Firm, P.A., and prior to that an assistant state attorney with the 13th Judicial Circuit.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from South Texas College. Chandler fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Cynthia Oster.
- Yara Lorenzo Klukas of Coral Gables to serve as judge on the Miami-Dade County Court
Klukas has served as an assistant United States attorney for the United States Department of Justice since 2019. Previously, she was a law clerk for Judge James King with the United States District Court and prior to that an associate at Hogan Lovells. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her juris doctor from St. Thomas University. Klukas fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Javier Enriquez.
- Jorge Perez Santiago of Pinecrest to serve as judge on the Miami-Dade County Court
Santiago has served as a junior partner at Stumphauzer Kolaya Nadler & Sloman since 2022. Previously, he was an associate at Carlton Fields. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and his juris doctor from Georgetown University. Santiago fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Luise Martin.
- Anastasia Norman of Port Saint Lucie to serve as judge on the 19th Judicial Circuit Court
Norman has served as an assistant state attorney for the 19th Circuit since 2008. Previously, she served as an assistant state attorney in the 15th Circuit. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from Stetson University. Norman fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Dan Vaughn, Sr.
- Elizabeth Gibson of Orlando to serve as judge on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
Gibson has served as a judge on the Orange County Court since her appointment by Gov. DeSantis in 2020. Previously, she served as the general counsel for Christian Care Ministry. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and her juris doctor from the University of Florida. Gibson fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Joshua Mize.
- Holly Derenthal of Orlando to serve as judge on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
Derenthal has served as a general magistrate for the Ninth Judicial Circuit since 2021. Previously, she was an attorney with BrewerLong PLLC. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the University of Florida. Derenthal fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Keith White.
