Governor fills judicial vacancies in Seventh Circuit, St. Johns, and Monroe counties.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced three judicial appointments today, naming new judges to the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, the St. Johns County Court, and the Monroe County Court. The appointments fill vacancies left by retirements and elevations within the state’s judiciary.
Randall Daugustinis has been appointed to serve as a Judge on the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court. Daugustinis, who lives in St. Augustine, has been an Assistant State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit since 2020. She previously held the same role in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Daugustinis earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa and her juris doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law. She takes the seat of retiring Judge Warren.
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Benjamin Rich, also from St. Augustine, will serve as a Judge on the St. Johns County Court. Rich has worked as an Assistant State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit since 2010. Before that, he was an attorney at McCune Law P.A. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his juris doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law. Rich fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Blocker.
In the Florida Keys, Derek Lewis has been appointed to the Monroe County Court. Lewis, a resident of Key West, has served as the Managing Attorney for Derek A. Lewis P.A. since 2021.
His prior experience includes working as an Assistant State Attorney in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. Lewis earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University. He fills the seat left vacant by the elevation of Judge Morgan.
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