On May 1, 2023, Judge Mark W. Klingensmith (right) was re-elected as Chief Judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal and Judge Jeffrey T. Kuntz (left) was chosen as the Chief Judge-elect.  As Chief Judge, Judge Klingensmith will oversee all administrative matters of the court including budgeting, scheduling, and bench-bar relations.

Judge Klingensmith has served on Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal since his appointment in 2013.  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 was board certified in Civil Trial Practice by the Florida Bar in 2001.  In 2008 he 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.

Judge Kuntz has served on Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal since his appointment in 2016.  Before his appointment, he practiced appellate litigation in Fort Lauderdale. 

Judge Kuntz received his B.A. degree from Boston College, and his J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School.