Gaveling in: Rick Scott appoints new judges

court judge gavel

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced the appointment of four new trial-court and appellate judges:

J. Andrew “Drew” Atkinson to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland.

Atkinson, 44, of Tampa, is now the General Counsel for the Department of Management Services.

A native of the Tampa Bay area, he previously practiced with the law firm of Broad and Cassel. Atkinson, an Army veteran, also has extensive public-sector legal experience, including Deputy Solicitor General and Assistant Attorney General, General Counsel for the Florida Department of State, Assistant General Counsel for the Executive Office of the Governor, and Senior Judicial Law Clerk for the 4th District Court of Appeal.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. Atkinson fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Douglas A. Wallace.

Christopher LaBruzzo and Frederick Pollack to the 6th Judicial Circuit Court.

LaBruzzo, 42, of Tampa, is an Assistant State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and law degree from Tulane University School of Law. LaBruzzo fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge John A. Schaefer.

Pollack, 45, of Clearwater, is a partner at Hunter Law. He has previously served as a Family Law General Magistrate and Child Support Hearing Officer for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. He received his bachelor’s degree from Alfred University and law degree from California Western School of Law. Pollack fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Mark I. Shames.

The 6th Circuit covers Pasco and Pinellas counties.

— Judge Spencer J. Multack to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court.

Multack, 42, of Aventura, is currently a Miami-Dade County Judge. He previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the 11th Circuit.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and law degree from the University of Miami. Multack fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Rosa I. Rodriguez.

The 11th Circuit covers only Miami-Dade.

Staff Reports



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