Phil Ammann
On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott announced five judicial appointments to a variety of courts throughout the state.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Scott began with the appointment of Kemba Lewis to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Lewis, 43, of Land O’Lakes, has served as an assistant public defender for the sixth circuit since 2002. She received her bachelor’s degrees from the University of South Florida and Mercer University, and her law degree from Barry University. Lewis fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge J. Thomas McGrady.
Leon County Court
Scott next named Stephen S. Everett to the Leon County Court.
Everett, 35, of Tallahassee, has served as assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity since 2012. He previously served as an assistant public defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit from 2009-2012 and as an assistant state attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit from 2007-2009. Everett received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Louisiana State University. He fills a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Robert Wheeler to the circuit court.
Duval County Court
Scott then appointed Kelly Eckley to the Duval County Court.
Eckley, 39, of Jacksonville, has served as chief assistant statewide prosecutor for the Attorney General of Florida since 2014. She previously served as assistant statewide prosecutor for the Attorney General of Florida from 2007-2014, as legal counsel for United Auto Insurance Company from 2006-2007, practiced with Lieber, Gonzalez & Portuondo, P.A. from 2005-2006, and as an assistant state attorney for the 11th Judicial Circuit from 2001-2005. Eckley received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her law degree from the University of Daytona.
Escambia County Court
Lastly, Scott announced the appointments of Amy Broderson and Kerra Smith to the Escambia County Court.
Broderson, 40, of Pensacola, has served as general counsel for the Pensacola Police Department since 2013. She previously served as an assistant state attorney for the First Judicial Circuit from 2005-2012. Broderson received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama and her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. She fills a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Thomas V. Dannheisser to the circuit court.
Smith, 34, of Pensacola, has served as an assistant county attorney for Escambia County Board of County Commissioners since 2013. She previously served as assistant general counsel for the Florida Board of Bar Examiners from 2012-2013, as assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement from 2010-2012, and as an assistant state attorney for the First Judicial Circuit from 2006-2010. Smith received her bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and her law degree from Florida State University. She fills a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Darlene F. Dickey to the circuit court.
