Governor appoints 10 to circuit, county courts

Soon to be former Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced 10 appointments to multiple Circuit and County Courts, according to a news release:

— Alexander Bokor to the 11th Circuit Court.

Bokor, 40, of Miami, is a Miami-Dade County Judge. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Bokor fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Stephen Millan.

The 11th Circuit Court covers Miami-Dade County.

— Natasha DePrimo to the Broward County Court.

DePrimo, 38, of Davie, is a senior attorney at the Florida Department of Transportation. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her law degree from the University of Florida. DePrimo fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Arlene Simon Backman. Backman and her husband, Paul Backman, both served as Broward judges and retired a week apart.

— Christopher Ferebee to the 7th Circuit Court.

Ferebee, 44, of Ponte Vedra Beach, is the Managing Assistant State Attorney, St. Johns County, for the 7th Circuit State Attorney’s Office. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. Ferebee fills the vacancy created by the removal of Judge Scott DuPont, whom an ethics panel said had a “reckless disregard for the truth” ahead of his removal from the bench by the Florida Supreme Court.

— Paige Hardy Gillman to the Palm Beach County Court.

Gillman, 34, of Palm Beach Gardens, is an attorney with the Law Office of Hugh Behan. She received both her bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Florida. Gillman fills the vacancy created by the removal of Judge Dana Marie Santino over her campaign tactics in a 2016 judicial election.

— Carlos Guzman to the 11th Circuit Court.

Guzman, 48, of Coral Gables, is a Miami-Dade County Judge. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and his law degree from Villanova University. Guzman fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan, who earlier this year became the first woman U.S. attorney for South Florida.

— Vegina “Gina” Hawkins to the 17th Circuit Court.

Hawkins, 45, of West Park, is an Assistant State Attorney for the 17th Circuit State Attorney’s Office. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University. Hawkins fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael L. Gates.

— Lody Jean to the Miami-Dade County Court.

Jean, 40, of Coral Gables, is President of the Law Office of Lody Jean. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Jean fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Wendell Graham.

— Robert Gregory “Gregg” Jerald to the 5th Circuit Court.

Jerald, 38, of Ocala, is General Counsel and Staff Commander for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and his law degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law. Jerald fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Jonathan Ohlman.

— Frank Ledee to the 17th Circuit Court.

Ledee, 54, of Hollywood, is an Assistant State Attorney for the 11th Circuit State Attorney’s Office. He received both his bachelor’s degree and M.B.A. from Barry University and his law degree from Nova Southeastern University. Ledee fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John Contini.

— Dustin Stephenson to the 14th Circuit Court.

Stephenson, 44, of Panama City, is an attorney at Dustin Stephenson, P.A. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Florida State University. Stephenson fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James Fensom.