Third DCA has a judicial opening

Jan 29, 2026 Announcements

Third DCA Courthouse

The Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for the vacancy on the Third DCA created by the retirement of Judge Kevin Emas.

The JNC seeks and encourages a broad, diverse, and highly qualified pool of applicants.

The commission requests that interested candidates submit a completed application that complies with the Instructions for Submission on or before February 26 by 12 p.m. Incomplete applications, obsolete forms of application, and applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Applicants in need of guidance should direct inquiries to the chair. Applicants must qualify to hold office for a District Court under Article V, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Those qualifications include having been a member of The Florida Bar for the preceding 10 years, being a registered voter in the State of Florida, and residing in Miami-Dade or Monroe counties at the time of appointment. The commission will issue a separate instructions regarding the dates and times for interviews.

Instructions for Submission:

The current Judicial Application form must be used. It may be downloaded in pdf and Word version from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ website. Applicants should ensure they are using the correct and current form.

The complete signed application must be submitted by Thurs., Feb. 26, 2026, at 12 p.m. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Applicants must submit a recent photograph, preferably as a cover page. To assist the Judicial Nominating Commission in its review of applications, all questions in the application must be fully and completely answered. In addition, applicants should include current and accurate contact information for themselves, as well as for judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and references to facilitate the requisite background investigation. If requested information is missing from an application, the Judicial Nominating Commission will consider the applicant’s lack of effort in submitting a complete application.

Except as noted at the end of this paragraph, all applications must be provided in two versions: an unredacted version in a single file in .pdf format and a redacted version in a single file in .pdf format with redactions to protect any personal information not subject to public disclosure as permitted by §119.071, Florida Statutes. The two .pdf files should be named in a “last name, first name” format. For example, James Madison should submit two files named: (1) Madison.James.UNREDACTED.pdf and (2) Madison.James.REDACTED.pdf. Applications not submitted in the correct electronic format may be rejected; paper applications will be rejected. Electronic copies of the unredacted and redacted.pdf files must be sent to the chair and vice chair at [email protected] and [email protected]. An electronic copy of the redacted .pdf file must be sent to each of the other seven commissioners listed below. If an application does not contain any personal information not subject to public disclosure as permitted by § 119.071, Fla. Stat., and therefore does not contain any redactions, the applicant need only submit a single file in .pdf format (named Madison.James.NOREDACTIONS.pdf) and must send an electronic copy of the .pdf file to each of the nine members of the commission.

Applicants receiving interviews will be separately notified of the exact date, time, and location of the interview. Separate public notice shall be provided when the interview schedule is approved by the commission.

The commission will hold an organizational meeting on February 26 at 6 p.m. At such organizational meeting the JNC will set the interview dates and location. The commission may take up other matters as appropriate. The meeting will be held via Zoom video and audio conferencing at:

https://zoom.us/j/95566086868?pwd=r1eLq8h3hp31jI7gWudjKHODl0NTrC.1&from=addon

Meeting ID: 955 6608 6868

Passcode: 936671

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,95566086868#,,,,*936671# US

+13126266799,,95566086868#,,,,*936671# US (Chicago)

Members of the public wishing to attend the organizational meeting of the Judicial Nominating Commission may appear via the video and audio conferencing listed above.

Members of the bench, the Bar, and the public are urged to contact the members of the Commission concerning applicants for judicial positions. Letters of recommendation should be emailed to all commissioners at any time before the interviews begin. The contact information for the Commissioners is:

Paul Huck, Jr., Chair

Lawson Huck Gonzalez, PLLC

121 Alhambra Plaza, 10th Floor

Coral Gables, Florida 33134

Email: [email protected]

Adam M. Foslid, Vice Chair

Winston & Strawn, LLP

200 S. Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2400

Miami, Florida 33131

Email: [email protected]

Lauren E. M. Alvarez

Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office