On January 11, 2024, The Honorable Mark W. Klingensmith, Chief Judge of Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal, became President of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges after being elected unanimously by the state’s district court judges.  His role will involve working with the Chief Justice of Florida, Florida Legislature, and offices of the Governor on statewide issues of judicial budgeting, administration, and education.

Judge Klingensmith has served on Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal since his appointment in 2013 and has been the Chief Judge of the court since 2022.  Before his elevation to the appeals court, he was a Circuit Court judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Klingensmith practiced civil litigation in private practice for 25 years and in 2008 was elected Commissioner for the Town of Sewall’s Point, FL, and served terms as Vice Mayor and Mayor.

Judge Klingensmith received his B.A. degree in 1982, and his J.D. degree in 1985, both from the University of Florida. He received his LL.M. degree in Judicial Studies from Duke University in 2016.