Press Release
By the Governor’s Press Office
3/31/25
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announces the following appointments to Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commissions:
First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission
Joseph Hart, of Tallahassee, is the General Counsel for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Hart is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission
Joshua Webb, of Tampa, is a Shareholder at Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Webb is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by the Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission
John Byrne, of Coral Gables, is a Partner at Maderal Byrne & Furst. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Cornell University. Byrne is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by the Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2028.
First Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Larry Keefe, of Shalimar, is the Executive Director for the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Keefe is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Second Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
David Arthmann, of Tallahassee, is the General Counsel for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Arthmann is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
Third Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Dana Taylor, of Live Oak, is an Attorney at the Law Office of Dana A. Taylor, P.A. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and her juris doctor from Georgia State University. Taylor is appointed from a list of nominees recommended by the Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2026.
George Reeves, of Madison, is a Shareholder at Davis, Schnitker, Reeves & Browning, P.A. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Reeves is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
James Willingham Jr., of Jasper, is the Owner of James Estes Willingham, Jr. Attorney and Counselor at Law. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Willingham is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Fourth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Robert Harris, of Jacksonville, is the Managing Partner of Harris Guidi Rosner, P.A. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Harris is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Matthew Foreman, of Spring Hill, is a Partner at Carter Foreman, PLLC. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Foreman is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Seventh Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Terrence White, of Ormond Beach, is a Mediator at Upchurch Watson White & Max. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College and his juris doctor from Stetson University. White is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Eighth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Stephanie Emrick, of Williston, is an Attorney at Scruggs, Carmichael, & Wershow, P.A. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and her juris doctor from the University of Florida. Emrick is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
Rebecca Shinholser, of Gainesville, is an Assistant State Attorney and the Executive Director for the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Freed Hardeman University and her juris doctor from the University of Florida. Shinholser is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Robert Woody, of Gainesville, was the Jail Director for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York and his master’s degree from Rollins College. Woody is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Brian Kramer, of Gainesville, is the State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Kramer is reappointed from a list of nominees recommended by the Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Samuel Salario, of Tampa, is a Shareholder at Lawson Huck Gonzalez, PLLC. He earned his bachelor’s degree from American University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Salario is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Brandon Burg, of Panama City, is the Founder of Burg Law. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Burg is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Mark Graham, of Panama City Beach, is the Chief Assistant State Attorney for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Graham is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Katie Jay, of Stuart, is a Partner at Jay & Campbell, PLLC. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and her juris doctor from MAUER School of Law. Jay is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
Adam Schwartz, of Palm City, is an Attorney at Atlas Solomon LLP. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Schwartz is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2028.
Twentieth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Steven E. Martin, of Fort Myers, is a Managing Member of the Martin Law Firm, P.L. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Martin is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2027.
