Attorney Jeffrey E. Lewis has been appointed to the 1st Judicial Circuit bench.
Gov. Rick Scott’s office announced the move Friday. The circuit covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties.
Lewis, 61, of Pensacola, has served as regional conflict counsel for the 1st District Court of Appeal region in north Florida since 2007.
He was an assistant public defender in the Pensacola-based Office of the Public Defender from 1998 to 2007 and was a sole practitioner 1993-98.
Lewis also was a staff attorney with First National Life Insurance Company 1992-93 and an assistant state attorney in the 1st Circuit from 1986-92.
He has an undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Alabama.
Lewis replaces outgoing Judge Thomas R. Santurri.