Governor appoints 38 to Judicial Nominating Commissions
Gov. Ron DeSantis July 14 appointed 38 Floridians to the state’s Judicial Nominating Commissions.
Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission
- Charbel Barakat of Tampa is the regional counsel at D.R. Horton, Inc. He earned his bachelor’s degree from The John Hopkins University and his juris doctor from New York University. Barakat is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2026.
First District Court of Appeal JNC
- Erik “Rick” Figlio of Tallahassee is a partner at Ausley McMullen. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College and his juris doctor from the University of Georgia. Figlio is reappointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Edward Fleming of Milton is a partner at McDonald Fleming. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and his juris doctor from the University of Georgia. Fleming is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Amber Nunnally of Tallahassee is a partner at Lawson Huck Gonzalez. She earned her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from Florida State University. Nunnally is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Second DCA JNC
- Lara Tibbals of Tampa is the managing partner of Tibbals Mediation. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her juris doctor from the University of Florida. Tibbals is reappointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Third DCA JNC
- Maia Aron of Miami is a partner at Mark Migdal & Hayden. She earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and juris doctor from the University of Miami. Aron is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Stephen Demanovich of Palmetto Bay is an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross and his juris doctor from Syracuse University. Demanovich is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Lilly Ann Sanchez of Miami Beach is a shareholder at The LS Law Firm. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her juris doctor from Georgetown University. Sanchez is reappointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Paul Huck, Jr., is a partner at Lawson Huck Gonzalez. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his juris doctor from Harvard University. Huck is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Fourth DCA JNC
- Robert Allen,of North Palm Beach is the CEO of Robert Allen Law. He earned his bachelor’s degree from New College and his juris doctor from the University of Notre Dame. Allen is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Fifth DCA JNC
- Adam Brandon of Jacksonville is an attorney at Rogers Towers. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, his master’s degree from the United States Naval War College, and his juris doctor from the University of Notre Dame. Brandon is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Michael C. Sasso of Oviedo is a partner at Sasso & Sasso. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and his juris doctor from Northern Kentucky University. Sasso is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Sixth DCA JNC
- Jeff Aaron of Maitland is a shareholder at Gray Robinson. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Aaron is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Michael A. Sasso of Orlando is the managing partner of Sasso & Sasso. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Barry University. Sasso is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
First Circuit JNC
- Aaron McCurdy of Pensacola is an attorney at McDonald Fleming. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and his juris doctor from Liberty University. McCurdy is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Second Circuit JNC
- Carly Hermanson of Tallahassee is corporate counsel for Allstate Insurance Company. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her juris doctor from Florida State University. Hermanson is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Ray Treadwell of Tallahassee is a partner at Lawson Huck Gonzalez. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Yale University. Treadwell is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Fourth Circuit JNC
- Patrick Joyce of Jacksonville is an attorney at Milam Howard Nicandri & Gillam. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, his master’s degree from the University of Idaho, and his juris doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law. Joyce is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Alan Mizrahi of Jacksonville is an assistant state attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from the University of Miami. Mizrahi is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
Sixth Circuit JNC
- Kara Hardin of Zephyrhills is the owner of Kara Hardin, P.L. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and her master’s degree and juris doctor from Stetson University. Hardin is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Robert Eckard of Clearwater Beach is the managing partner of Robert Eckard & Associates. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Florida and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Eckard is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Gordon Oldham IV of St. Petersburg is a partner at Oldham & Delcamp. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, his master’s degree from the University of Central Florida, and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Oldham is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Ninth Circuit JNC
- Christian Waugh of Orlando is a partner at Waugh Grant. He earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Waugh is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Michael Nardella of Winter Garden is the managing partner at Nardella & Nardella. He earned his bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the University of Florida. Nardella is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
11th Circuit JNC
- Pedro Allende of Miami is the secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services. He earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and juris doctor from the University of Florida. Allende is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
13th Circuit JNC
- Andrew Mayts, Jr., of Tampa is an attorney at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Mayts is reappointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Candace Rich of Tampa is an assistant United States attorney for the Middle District of Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brown University and her juris doctor from Wake Forest University. Rich is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Diego Pestana of Tampa is an attorney at the Suarez Law Firm. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Pestana is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
14th Circuit JNC
- A. Waylon Graham of Panama City is the owner of Waylon Graham Law Firm. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and his juris doctor from Samford University/Cumberland School of Law. Graham is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
15th Circuit JNC
- Kelly Hagar of Palm Beach Gardens is the Owner of Kelly V. Hagar and Hagar Insurance Agency. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. Hagar is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Robert Harvey of Palm Beach Gardens is the executive director of Florida Opportunity Fund and the executive director of the Florida Development Finance Corporation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and his juris doctor from Southern Illinois University. Harvey is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
17th Circuit JNC
- Valerie Barnhart of Plantation is the owner and partner of Barnhart Law Firm, P.A. She earned her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University. Barnhart is reappointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Joseph Van de Bogart of Oakland Park is the general counsel for the Florida Department of State. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Florida International University. Van de Bogart is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Levi Williams of Parkland is CEO of the Law Offices of Levi Williams, P.A. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Williams is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
19th Circuit JNC
- Nita Denton of Stuart is an assistant state attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Troy University and her juris doctor from Cumberland University. Denton is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Nina Ferraro of Indiantown is the president of Nina L. Ferraro, P.A. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her juris doctor from Stetson University. Ferraro is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
20th Circuit JNC
- Paul Giordano of Ft. Myers, is a shareholder of Roetzel & Andress. He earned his bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the University of Florida. Giordano is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Michael Randolph of Ft. Myers is an attorney at Gray Robinson. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Mercer University. Randolph is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by The Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2026.
