Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his next appointment to Florida’s Judicial Nominations Committee.
Judicial Nomination Committee of the First District Court of Appeals
Joseph Hart of Tallahassee is a general advisor to the Florida Department of Insurance and Regulation. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and his Juris Doctorate from Florida State University. Heart will be appointed for a period ending July 1, 2028.
Judicial Nomination Committee of the Second District Court of Appeals
Joshua Webb of Tampa is a shareholder of Hill, Ward & Henderson, Pennsylvania, and earned both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Webb will be appointed from the list of candidates recommended by Florida Bar for its term ending July 1, 2028.
Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nomination Committee
John Byrne of Coral Gables is a partner of Madeal Byrne & First. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Law PhD from Cornell University. Byrne will be appointed from Florida Bar’s recommended list of candidates for a term ending July 1, 2028.
First Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Larry Keefe of Shalimar is executive director of the state Immigration Executive Committee. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Keefe will be appointed for a period ending July 1, 2028.
Second Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
David Earthman of Tallahassee is the general counsel for Florida Highway Safety and Automobiles. He received his bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and a Law PhD from Florida State University. Arthmann will be appointed for a period ending July 1, 2026.
Third Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Dana Taylor of Live Oak is an attorney at the law firm of Dana A. Taylor, Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a Law Doctor of Georgia State University. Taylor has been appointed from Florida Bar’s recommended list of candidates for the period ending July 1, 2026.
George Reeves of Madison is a shareholder of Davis, Schnicker and Reeves & Browning, Pennsylvania, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a Law PhD from the University of Florida. Reeves will be reappointed for a period ending July 1, 2028.
James Willingham Jr. of Jasper is James Estes Willingham, Jr. He is the owner of a lawyer and Law counselor. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Willingham will be reappointed for the period ending July 1, 2028.
Fourth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Robert Harris of Jacksonville is a managing partner at Harris Giddy Rossner, Pennsylvania, and earned both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Harris will be reappointed for the period ending July 1, 2027.
5th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Matthew Foreman of Spring Hill is a partner of Carter Foreman at PLLC. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor at Stetson University. Foreman will be reappointed for a period ending July 1, 2027.
7th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Terrence White of Ormond Beach is the mediator of Upchurch Watson White & Max. He received his bachelor’s degree from Le Moine University and a Law PhD from Stetson University. Shiro will be reappointed for the period ending July 1, 2028.
8th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Stephanie Emric of Williston is a lawyer for Carmichael’s Scruggs, who won both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Emric will be appointed for a period ending July 1, 2026.
Rebecca Sinholzer of Gainesville is assistant state attorney and executive director of the 8th Judicial Circuit State Lawyer’s Office. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Law from Fried Hardemann University and the University of Florida. Shinholser will be reappointed for the period ending July 1, 2027.
Robert Woody of Gainesville was the prison chief for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department. He received his bachelor’s degree from State University of New York and a master’s degree from Rollins University. Woody will be reappointed for the period ending July 1, 2027.
Brian Kramer of Gainesville is the state attorney for Florida’s 8th Judicial Circuit. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Law PhD from Stetson University. Kramer will be reappointed from the list of candidates recommended by Florida Bar for the period ending July 1, 2028.
The 13th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Tampa’s Samuel Sarario is a shareholder of PLLC’s Lawson Huck Gonzalez. He received his bachelor’s degree from the American University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. Sarario will be appointed for a period ending July 1, 2028.
The 14th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Brandonberg of Panama City is the founder of the Berg Act. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor from Florida State University. Berg will be reappointed for a period ending July 1, 2028.
Mark Graham of Panama City Beach is the Chief Assistant Counsel at the 14th Judicial Circuit State Lawyer’s Office. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor from Florida State University. Graham will be reappointed for the period ending July 1, 2028.
The 19th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Katie Jay of Stuart is a partner of Jay & Campbell of PLLC. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a Juris Doctorate from Mauer Law School. Jay will be appointed for a period ending July 1, 2027.
Adam Schwartz of Palm City is an attorney for Atlas Solomon LLP. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor from Florida State University. Schwartz will be reappointed for a period ending July 1, 2028.
Judicial Circuit Judicial Nomination Committee
Stephen E. Martin of Fort Myers is a managing member of Martin Law Firm, who earned both a bachelor’s degree and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Martin will be reappointed for the period ending July 1, 2027.
