Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday the appointment of nine judges to fill vacancies in circuit and county courts in Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Miami-Dade counties.
The appointments include several current county court judges who will be transferred to circuit court positions, as well as attorneys from private offices, state government, and law enforcement agencies.
Knute Nate of Dade City has been appointed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Naate has served as a Pasco County court judge since being appointed by DeSantis in 2023. Previously, he served as Dade City Commissioner. Nate earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Florida. He fills the vacancy created by Judge Hellinger’s resignation.
Olivier Lindemann of Palm Harbor has been appointed to the Pinellas County Court. Mr. Lindeman has served as a deputy attorney with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office since 2022 and previously worked as an assistant state’s attorney in the 12th Judicial Circuit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Mr. Lindemann fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Hubbard.
Kevin Cole, of Lake Wales, has been appointed to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court. Cole has served as a Polk County court judge since being appointed by DeSantis in 2021. Previously, he served as an assistant state’s attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit. Cole earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from Florida State University. He will fill the vacancy created by the enactment of Senate Bill 2508.
Taylor Bowman of Winter Haven was also appointed to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court. Mr. Bowman has been a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson since 2018 and previously served as an assistant state’s attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit. He earned a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and a law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. Bowman fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Masters.
Bartow resident Jordan Wells has been appointed to the Polk County Court. Wells has been a career attorney for Judge Robert Morris of the Second District Court of Appeals since 2009 and previously worked as a staff attorney for the Second District Court of Appeals. She received her bachelor’s and law degrees from Florida State University. Judge Wells fills the vacancy created by Judge Griffin’s retirement.
Elizabeth Espinosa Marin of Miami has been appointed as a judge to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Espinosa Marin has served as a Miami-Dade County court judge since being appointed by DeSantis in 2019. She previously worked as an assistant state’s attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Stetson University. She fills the vacancy created by Senate Bill 2508.
Jorge Perez Santiago of Pinecrest was also appointed to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. Perez-Santiago has been a Miami-Dade County court judge since being appointed by DeSantis in 2023. He previously worked as a junior partner at Stunfauser, Colaya, Nadler & Sloman PLLC and holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from the University of Miami. He will fill the vacancy created by Senate Bill 2508.
Andrew McGinley, of Miami, has been appointed to the Miami-Dade County Court. Mr. McGinley has served as General Counsel for the Florida Department of Children and Families since 2021. Previously, he served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. McGinley earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario and a law degree from the University of Idaho. He will fill the vacancy created by Senate Bill 2508.
Michelle Ross of Miami was also appointed to the Miami-Dade County Court. Mr. Ross has been a partner at Ross Law Partners since 2021 and previously served as an assistant state attorney for the 11th Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Emory University and her law degree from the University of Miami. Mr. Ross fills the vacancy created by Senate Bill 2508.
