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. 

The Florida Supreme Court Historical Society is seeking judges, lawyers, law teachers, and other citizens to serve on its board of trustees. New Trustees will be elected during the society’s meeting at the 2023 Annual Florida Bar Convention in June at The Boca Raton.

The mission of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society is two-fold: preserving the rich history of Florida’s judicial system and educating the public about the important role of the courts in protecting personal rights and freedoms. The historical society supports education and outreach programs, publishes books chronicling the history of the Florida Supreme Court and the award-winning Historical Review magazine, and facilitates the collection and archiving of historical documents and artifacts.

Trustees provide leadership, a shared vision, and a sense of mission, and are responsible for the fiscal health of the Historical Society. Nominating Committee Chair and Miami attorney Edward G. Guedes said the committee is “looking for leaders with proven performance and a commitment to the legal profession, time and ability to serve, sound judgment and integrity, and enthusiasm for honoring and preserving the history of Florida’s judiciary.”

The board meets in person twice a year, including once at The Florida Bar Annual Convention and once in Tallahassee. Trustees and members participate each year in the society’s centerpiece event “A Supreme Evening” in Tallahassee attended by governmental leaders, judges, attorneys, educators, and special guests.

To be considered by the nominating committee for a three-year term beginning July 1, visit https://lnkd.in/gEFWs99i for additional information and complete and submit the Expression of Interest to Serve application, or contact Mark Miller, executive director, at 850-385-3098. The deadline for completing and returning the interest form is Friday, April 28, by email to [email protected].

FLORIDA BAR NEWS STORY: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/new-trustees-sought-for-supreme-court-historical-society/

The 15^th Judicial Circuit is now accepting Court Appointed Attorney New and Renewal Applications. The applications are found at: Court Appointed Attorneys | 15th Circuit.

https://www.15thcircuit.com/program-page/appointed-attorneys

Administrative Order 2.306 is obsolete due to updates to the rules of court procedure.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED that Administrative Order 2.306 (as amended) is VACATED AND SET ASIDE.

DONE and SIGNED in Chambers at West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida this 3rd day of April 2023.
_______________________
Glenn Kelley
Chief Judge
*supersedes admin. order 2.306-9/08

The Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (“JNC”) takes pleasure in certifying the following nominees to fill the vacancy for a Circuit Court Judge position created by the elevation of Judge Paige Kilbane:

1. Alex Braunstein
2. Santo DiGangi
3. Reid Scott
4. Danielle Sherriff
5. Schnelle Tonge
6. Lawonda Warren

If you have any questions, please contact Robert Harvey at (561) 303-2918, or by email at [email protected].

The Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (“JNC”) takes pleasure in certifying the following nominees to fill the vacancy for a County Court Judge position created by the elevation of Judge John Parnofiello:

1. Alex Braunstein
2. Lourdes Casanova
3. Santo DiGangi
4. Reid Scott
5. Danielle Sherriff
6. Lawonda Warren

If you have any questions, please contact Robert Harvey at (561) 303-2918, or by email at [email protected].

Section 1003.21 of the Florida Statutes states that children who have attained the age of 6 years or who will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year or who are older than 6 years of age but who have not attained the age of 16 years, except as otherwise provided, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term. Section 984.151 of the Florida Statutes sets forth the court procedure and penalties for the enforcement of the statutory provisions relating to compulsory school attendance.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority conferred by Florida Rule of General Practice & Judicial Administration 2.215, it is ORDERED as follows:

1. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller shall assign the truancy petitions to the Administrative Judge of the Juvenile Division.

2. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller shall schedule the initial hearing within 30 days of the filing of a truancy petition. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller shall issue a summons to the parent, guardian or legal custodian of the student directing that person to appear for the hearing at the time and place specified.

3. Truancy petitions shall be set on the Juvenile Division Administrative Judge’s Tuesday docket at 11:30am.
DONE AND SIGNED in Chambers, at West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, this 16th day of March, 2023.

Glenn Kelley, Chief Judge

*Supersedes Administrative Order 5.805-4/19*

Please click here to view the AO. 

The Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (“JNC”) announces that the following persons will be interviewed on Friday, March 17, 2023, to fill one or more of the vacancies created by the elevations of Judge Paige Kilbane and Judge John Parnofiello, at the times indicated below:

9:00 a.m.               Ira Bergman
9:12 a.m.               Alex Braunstein
9:24 a.m.               Lourdes Casanova
9:36 a.m.               Santo DiGangi
9:48 a.m.               Gabriel Ermine
10:00 a.m.             Amy Morse
10:12 a.m.             M. Katherine Mullinax
10:24a.m.             Break
10:36 a.m.             Steven Phillips
10:48 a.m.             Robert Rubin
11:00 a.m.             Jeffrey Saidestat
11:12 a.m.             Gregory Schiller
11:24 a.m.             Reid Scott
11:36 a.m.             Danielle Sheriff 
11:48 a.m.             Sorraya Solages-Jones
12:00 p.m.             Lunch
1:00 p.m.               Schnelle Tonge
1:12 p.m.              Kevin Walsh
1:24 p.m.              Lawonda Warren
1:36 p.m.               Craig Williams
1:48 p.m.               Jean Marie Middleton
2:00 p.m.               JNC Deliberations

The above interviews will be conducted in person at the Library Conference Room, Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401.

Each interview will be ten minutes long, including a two-minute opening statement. The interviews will be transcribed by Phipps Reporting pro bono.

All JNC proceedings are open to the public, except for deliberations.

If you have any questions, please contact Robert Harvey at (561) 303-2918, or by email at [email protected].

Please click here to view AO.