Governor makes 63 Judicial Nominating Commission appointments
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently made the following appointments to Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commissions:
Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission
- Daniel Nordby of Tallahassee is a partner at Shutts & Bowen. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Nordby is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Jesse Panuccio of Ft. Lauderdale is a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his juris doctorate from Harvard University. Panuccio is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Harout Samra of Coral Gables is of counsel at DLA Piper. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Miami. Samra is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Heather Stearns of Tallahassee is the president of Liberty Dental Plan. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her juris doctorate from Florida State University. Stearns is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Timothy Cerio of Tallahassee is the president and executive director of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Cerio is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission
- James Percival of Tallahassee is the chief of staff for the Florida Attorney General. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and his juris doctorate from the University of Virginia. Percival is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Gary Hunter of Tallahassee is a partner at Holtzman Vogel. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Georgia. Hunter is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Brad McVay of Tallahassee is the deputy secretary of state for legal affairs & election integrity at the Florida Department of State. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. McVay is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Second District Court of Appeal JNC
- Chad Mizelle of Tampa is the chief legal officer at Affinity Partners. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from Cornell University. Mizelle is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Tyler Cathey of Tampa is the general counsel at Ally Capital Group. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Cathey is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Third District Court of Appeal JNC
- Adam Foslid of Coral Gables is a partner at Winston & Strawn. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from George Washington University. Foslid is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Lauren Morse of Miami is an assistant county attorney for Miami-Dade County. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her juris doctorate from Yale University. Morse is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Fourth District Court of Appeal JNC
- Debra Jenks of Palm Beach Gardens is the president of Debra A. Jenks, P.A. She earned her bachelor’s degree from New College of Florida and her juris doctorate from Lewis & Clark Law School. Jenks is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Daniel Epstein of Boca Raton is the vice president of America First Legal and an assistant professor of law at St. Thomas University. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College and his juris doctorate from Emory University. Epstein is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Jonathan Osborne of Hollywood is a shareholder at Gunster. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska and his juris doctorate from Georgetown University. Osborne is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Fifth District Court of Appeal JNC
- Scott Thomas of Ponte Vedra Beach is a partner at Burr & Forman. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Thomas is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Amanda Carl of Osteen is the director of legal and government affairs at Harrell’s, LLC. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and her juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Carl is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Carrie Eisnaugle of Sanford is of counsel at The Grosshans Group. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Luther College and her juris doctorate from Vanderbilt University. Eisnaugle is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Alan Wachs of Jacksonville is a partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. Wachs is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Sixth District Court of Appeal JNC
- Amira Fox of Ft. Myers is the state attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree from American University and her juris doctorate from George Washington University. Fox is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Joshua Grosshans of Winter Garden is the founder of The Grosshans Group. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. Grosshans is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Ronald Edwards of Windermere is a shareholder at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor, & Reed. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Edwards is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
First Judicial Circuit JNC
- Mark Davis of DeFuniak Springs is a shareholder at Clark Partington. He earned his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. Davis is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- George Brannon of Santa Rosa Beach is an attorney at Fidelity National Title Group. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Memphis. Brannon is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Second Judicial Circuit JNC
- Kristina Osterhaus of Tallahassee is an adjunct professor at Florida State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and her juris doctorate from the University of Chicago. Osterhaus is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Denise Harle of Tallahassee is a partner at Shutts & Bowen. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her juris doctorate from Duke University. Harle is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- William Spicola of Tallahassee is the president of Komisar Spicola. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Spicola is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Timothy Moore of Tallahassee is a shareholder at GrayRobinson. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. Moore is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Fourth Judicial Circuit JNC
- Anthony Zebouni of Jacksonville is a partner at Lindell, Farson & Zebouni. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from Loyola University. Zebouni is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Patrick Kilbane of Jacksonville is a partner and the general counsel at Ullman Wealth Partners Group. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Adrian College and his juris doctorate from the University of Notre Dame. Kilbane is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Chanda Rogers of Fernandina Beach is the owner of The Rogers Firm. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and her juris doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law. Rogers is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Fifth Judicial Circuit JNC
- William Gladson of Ocala is the state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from St. Thomas University. Gladson is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Lazaro Fields of Lecanto is a partner at Continental. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. Fields is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Sixth Judicial Circuit JNC
- Denis deVlaming of Clearwater is a partner at deVlaming & Rivellini. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and his juris doctorate from Stetson University. deVlaming is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Adam Ross of Clearwater is an assistant state attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and his juris doctorate from Barry University. Ross is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Berny Jacques of Seminole is the senior director of Partnerships at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington Adventist University and his juris doctorate from Stetson University. Jacques is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Seventh Judicial Circuit JNC
- Anna Shea of Ponte Vedra Beach is a senior deputy general counsel and chief privacy officer at FIS. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and her juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Shea is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Geremy Gregory of Ponte Vedra Beach is a partner at Balch & Bingham. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from the University of Georgia. Gregory is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
- Kelly Kwiatek of Ormond Beach is the chief legal officer at Halifax Staffing. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and her juris doctorate from Florida State University. Kwiatek is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- John Reid of Daytona Beach Shores is an assistant state attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. Reid is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Ninth Judicial Circuit JNC
- Jeff Aaron of Maitland is a founding shareholder at DownsAaron. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Aaron is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Joseph Towne of Orlando is of counsel at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from Stetson University. Towne is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
10th Judicial Circuit JNC
- Krista Mahalak of Winter Haven is a shareholder at Peterson & Myers. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bethany College and her juris doctorate from the University of Nebraska. Mahalak is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Robert Peddy of Lakeland is the owner of the Law Offices of Peddy. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and his juris doctorate from Stetson University. Peddy is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Mattie Tondreault of Lakeland is a partner at Hardin & Ball. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and her juris doctorate from Mercer University. Tondreault is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Lydia Zbrzeznj of Bartow is a managing member of Southern Atlantic Law Group. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary and her juris doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law. Zbrzeznj is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
11th Judicial Circuit JNC
- Miguel Gonzalez of Coral Gables is an assistant county attorney for Miami-Dade County. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and his juris doctorate from Vanderbilt University. Gonzalez is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Jesus Suarez of Miami is a partner at Continental. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and his juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Suarez is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Hayden O’Byrne of Miami is an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Miami. O’Byrne is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
12th Judicial Circuit JNC
- Anthony Rolfes of Osprey is of counsel at Dickinson & Gibbons. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Stetson University and his juris doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. Rolfes is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Nancy Cason of Sarasota is a managing partner at Syprett Meshad. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her juris doctorate from the University of Florida. Cason is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Lisa Carlton of Sidell is the co-owner and manager of Mabry Carlton Ranch. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Stetson University and her juris doctorate from Mercer University. Carlton is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Bonnie Lee Polk of Sarasota is a partner at Williams Parker Attorneys at Law. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Lynn University and her juris doctorate from Stetson University. Polk is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
13th Judicial Circuit JNC
- Max Amster of Tampa, is the chief executive officer at Veridis Management. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and his juris doctorate from Harvard University. Amster is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Jennie Granahan Tarr of Tampa is of counsel at Shumaker Loop & Kendrick. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her juris doctorate from Oral Roberts University. Tarr is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
15th Judicial Circuit JNC
- Gordon Dieterle of Boca Raton is a partner at Peter M. Feaman, P.A. He earned his bachelor’s degree from New York University and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. Dieterle is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Steven DeLorenz of Boca Raton is a shareholder at Talisman & DeLorenz, P.C. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and his juris doctorate from Pepperdine University. DeLorenz is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Barry Postman of Palm Beach Gardens is a managing partner at Cole, Scott & Kissane. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and his juris doctorate from the University of Miami. Postman is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
17th Judicial Circuit JNC
- Eric Yesner of Parkland is a senior associate at GrayRobinson, P.A. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and his juris doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Yesner is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Camille Coolidge Shotwell of Oakland Park is the owner of Coolidge Law Group. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University and her juris doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Coolidge is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
- Thomas Oates of Lighthouse Point is a partner at the Law Offices of Oates & Oates. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from Stetson University. Oates is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
18th Judicial Circuit JNC
- Shane Williams of Merritt Island is an assistant state attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ave Maria University and his juris doctorate from Barry University. Williams is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
- Michael Sjuggerud of Altamonte Springs is an assistant city attorney for the City of Orlando. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctorate from Florida State University. Sjuggerud is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
