The Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (“JNC”) announces two County Court vacancies created by the retirements of Judge Mark T. Eissey and Judge Leonard Hanser. The JNC has been asked to provide Governor Ron DeSantis with nominees for the vacancies by February 27, 2022.

Qualifications of Applicants:

Applicants must be able to fulfill the Constitutional qualifications for circuit court and county court judges described in Article V, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution.

Instructions for Submission:

1)            The current Judicial Application form must be used and can be found at https://www.flgov.com/judicial-and-judicial-nominating-commission-information/. Applicants should ensure they are using the correct and current form.

2)            Applications must be in .pdf form and submitted as follows: (i) one original copy of the application, including all attachments, (ii) one redacted copy of the application, including all attachments, excluding all exempt information under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes or other applicable public records law. The two .pdf files should be named in a “last name.first name” format. For example: Jane Smith should submit two files named: (1) Smith.Jane.pdf and (2) Smith.Jane-REDACTED.pdf. 

Each electronic application, including exhibits, must be a single pdf file. No paper applications will be accepted.

3)            The deadline for submission of the completed application is 1:00 p.m., February 11, 2022.  Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.  Both the original and redacted electronic applications must be submitted by email to rharvey@jenksharveylaw.com.  Please state in your email whether you are applying for the pending Circuit Court Judge vacancy, a County Court Judge vacancy, or both.

Please ensure the Application is complete, including all required responses (including references, case style and contact information regarding recent cases, and class standing and degree information regarding education), and all required attachments (writing sample, financial disclosure, photograph).  Incomplete applications may not be considered.  

4)            Pending Circuit Court Vacancy. The JNC is currently accepting applications for a Circuit Court Judge position created by the retirement of Judge Joseph Marx. The deadline for submission of the completed application for the Circuit Court vacancy is now extended to 1:00 p.m., February 11, 2022.

Additional Information:

The JNC will publish on the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s website www.palmbeachbar.org and Governor Ron DeSantis’ judicial webpage https://www.flgov.com/judicial-and-judicial-nominating-commission-information/   the date and location of any interviews that the JNC chooses to conduct. 

The JNC anticipates that any interviews for all three (3) pending vacancies will be held the week of February 21, 2022.

All JNC proceedings are open to the public, except for deliberations.  Applications are not confidential.  If an applicant is nominated, all materials attached to the original application will be submitted to the Governor.

A list of members of the Fifteenth Circuit JNC is available at https://www.flgov.com/judicial-and-judicial-nominating-commission-information/.Members of the bench, the Bar and the public are urged to contact the members of the Commission concerning applicants for judicial positions.

If you have any questions, please call Mr. Harvey at (561) 303-2918, or email at rharvey@jenksharveylaw.com