Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reshaped the state’s legal landscape on Monday by appointing nine individuals to critical positions across various circuit and county courts. The major judicial shakeup addresses multiple vacancies fueled by retirements, promotions, and newly enacted state legislation.
The appointments pull heavily from experienced local judges and legal professionals. Among the circuit court elevations, Knute Nathe of Dade City joins the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, moving up from his role as a Pasco County Court Judge. Kevin Kohl of Lake Wales and Taylor Bowman of Winter Haven take seats on the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court.
Bowman joins from a private partnership at Hinshaw & Culbertson, while Kohl transitions from the Polk County bench. Meanwhile, Elisabeth Espinosa Marin and Jorge Perez Santiago, both serving as Miami-Dade County Court judges, were elevated to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.
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The Governor’s selections also injected fresh personnel into the county courts. Olivier Lindemann, an Associate Counsel for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, takes over a seat on the Pinellas County Court. Jordan Wells, a long-time Career Attorney for the Second District Court of Appeal, steps into a vacancy on the Polk County Court. In Miami-Dade County, Andrew McGinley, General Counsel for the Florida Department of Children and Families, and Michelle Roth, a partner at Roth Law Partners, both secured county judge seats.
A significant driver behind these appointments is Senate Bill 2508, which legally created five of the nine vacancies filled today, specifically impacting the Tenth Judicial Circuit, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, and Miami-Dade County courts. The remaining openings resulted from the resignations and retirements of sitting judges, including Judges Helinger, Masters, Griffin, and the promotion of Judge Hubbard.
According to official state records, all nine appointees carry substantial backgrounds in Florida’s public or private legal sectors, with many having served previously as Assistant State Attorneys across different Florida circuits. The executive order formalizing these appointments took effect immediately upon the Governor’s announcement in Tallahassee.
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