Florida Governor Ron DeSantis moved to fill several gaps in the state’s judiciary this week, announcing four new appointments to courts ranging from the appellate level to circuit seats.
The appointments, announced Thursday, tap a mix of sitting judges and veteran prosecutors to fill vacancies across the Fourth, Fourteenth, and Seventeenth circuits.
Heading to the Appeals Court
Johnathan Lott, of Fort Lauderdale, has been elevated to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Lott is no stranger to the bench, having served as a Circuit Court Judge for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit since 2024.
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Before donning the robe, Lott worked as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. A University of Florida graduate who earned his law degree from the University of Chicago, Lott is stepping in to fill the seat left open by the resignation of Judge Artau.
Circuit Court Additions
Two of the new appointments are filling seats recently created by the enactment of Senate Bill 2508.
In the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, Kristina Mobley of Green Cove Springs has been selected to serve. Mobley brings years of experience from Clay County, where she has been a County Court Judge since 2015. Prior to her time on the county bench, she worked as a Judicial Staff Attorney within the same circuit. She holds degrees from the University of North Florida and the University of Florida.
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Jarred Patterson, of Port Saint Joe, was appointed to the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court, also filling a vacancy created by the new legislation. Patterson moves to the bench from the prosecution table, where he served as the Chief Assistant State Attorney for Gulf County. His prosecutorial career also includes time as Chief Assistant State Attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit. Patterson is a graduate of the University of West Florida and Barry University.
Rounding out the appointments is Pascale Achille of Fort Lauderdale, who will join the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court. Achille has spent nearly a decade as an Assistant State Attorney in that circuit, a role she has held since 2015. Before entering public service, she worked in private practice as an associate at Bast Amron LLP. She earned her degrees from Florida State University and Nova Southeastern University.
Achille will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Farmer.
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