Governor makes nine judicial appointments in March

Governor makes nine judicial appointments in March

Apr 03, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis made nine judicial appointments in March.

Sylvia Grunor of Sanford to serve as judge on the Seminole County Court

Grunor has worked as a partner at Sylvia Grunor, P.A., since 2003. Previously, she was of counsel for Wicker, Smith, Tutan, et al. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and her juris doctor from Stetson University. Grunor fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Herr.

Shannon Hankin of Sarasota to serve as judge on the Sarasota County Court

Hankin has worked as a partner at Hankin & Hankin since 2014. Previously, she served as an assistant state attorney in the 12th Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Emory University and her juris doctor from the University of Georgia. Hankin fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Felix.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces seven judicial appointments March 26: one to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, one to the Broward County Court, one to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, two to the Hillsborough County Court, one to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court, and one to the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court.

 Christopher Wigand of Plantation to serve as judge on the 17th Judicial Circuit Court

Wigand has owned and operated The Wigand Law Firm since 2012. Previously, he was a partner at Williams Hilal Wigand Grande. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and his juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University. Wigand fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Weekes.

Michele Ricca of Weston to serve as judge on the Broward County Court

Ricca has worked as a partner at Boyd, Richards, Parker & Colonnelli since 2010. Previously, she was a partner at Cooney, Mattson, Lance, Blackburn, Richards & O’Connor. She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas University and her juris doctor from the University of Miami. Ricca fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Avalos.

Logan Murphy of Tampa to serve as judge on the 13th Judicial Circuit Court

Murphy has served as a county court judge for Hillsborough County since 2021. Previously, he was a shareholder at Hill Ward Henderson. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Vanderbilt University. Murphy fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Ficarrotta.

Christopher E. Brown of Apollo Beach to serve as judge on the Hillsborough County Court

Brown has served as senior legal counsel for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since 2006. Previously, he was an assistant statewide prosecutor in Tampa. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho and his juris doctor from Syracuse University. Brown fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Hooi.

Matthew Felix of Tampa to serve as judge on the Hillsborough County Court

Felix has been a partner at Felix, Felix & Baseman since 2016. Previously, he was a partner at Older, Lundy & Alvarez, Attorneys at Law. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Felix fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Tompkins.

Christopher H. Brown of Naples to serve as judge on the 20th Judicial Circuit Court 

Brown has served as a county court judge for Collier County since 2023. Previously, he was a partner at Brown, Suarez, Rios & Weinberg. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Brown fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Hayes.

David Wainer, of Ponte Vedra Beach, to serve as Judge on the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court 

Wainer has been a Partner at Ford, Miller & Wainer P.A. since 2001. Previously, he was an Associate at Ford & Miller, P.A. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Wainer fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Zambrano.