Voter information about the Sixth District election

Voters in 10 Florida counties will be asked whether to retain five of the state’s nine judges. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

All nine of the court’s judges were appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been serving since January 1, 2023, with the exception of Judge Roger Ghannam, who joined the court on September 5, 2023.

On Nov. 5, voters will decide whether to retain the five judges, voting either to retain or to vote against not retaining.

Here’s what you need to know about the court and the judges on the ballot.

6th Circuit Court of Appeals, Florida’s newest appellate court

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, headquartered in Lakeland, became new appellate court in the state in January 2023. It represents the residents of 10 counties, which are divided into three districts:

Ninth circuit:
10th circle:
20th circle:
- Charlotte
- Collier
- Polyanka
- Hendry
- Lee

How many judges are there on the Sixth Court of Appeals?

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals consists of nine judges.

What is the base salary for judges on the Sixth Court of Appeals?

base salary is US$218,939, According to Ballotpedia.

How many years do appellate court judges serve?

Judges serve for six years and are eligible for subsequent terms based on merit retention votes in their districts.

What do Florida District Courts of Appeal do?

” purpose of the Florida Circuit Courts of Appeals “is to provide an opportunity for thoughtful review of decisions of lower tribunals by panels of several judges,” the Florida courts said.

“District appeals courts correct harmful errors and ensure decisions comply with our rights and freedoms. This process promotes development, clarity and consistency of the law.”

According to Florida courts, circuit courts of appeal can hear appeals of final decisions in district court cases and in most district court cases, and can also review some non-final orders.

Brownlee said he grew up in Orlando. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Brownlee received her BA in International Studies and French Studies from Emory University in 2004. She received her J.D. from Florida State University College of Law in 2009, where she completed the College of Law’s Certificate Program in International Law with a BA in International Studies and French Studies from Emory University in 2004. honors.

Before she joined the bar, Brownlee was a partner in the Brownlee, Pennsylvania law firm. Gov. Rick Scott appointed Brownlee to the judicial nominating panels of the Ninth Circuit in 2012 and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017.

“After graduating from law school, Judge Brownlee returned to Orlando and began her legal career with a boutique appellate law firm, where she had the opportunity to litigate cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Florida Circuit Courts of Appeals at the end eventually joined her husband in the law firm of Brownlee, Pennsylvania.”

Brownlee was appointed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 1, 2020, to replace Timothy Shea. DeSantis appointed Brownlee to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in July 2023 to replace Jay Cohen when he retires.

Brownlee is a member of the Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar, the Appellate Practice Committee of the Orange County Bar Association, the George C. Young Court Inn, and the Federalist Society.

Ghannam was born in Savannah, Georgia and moved to Florida before his first birthday. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of North Florida in 1996 and a J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1999, according to Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ghannam spent the first six years of his legal career in Jacksonville, working for two international law firms, practicing business litigation and class action defense.

He then spent eight years with the Jacksonville firm, becoming a partner and practicing a wide range of business and consumer litigation matters, including construction, real estate, corporate, employment, probate and trust disputes, and consumer litigation. claims and constitutional litigation on a pro bono basis.

In 2014, Ghannam joined an international public interest law firm, where he litigated constitutional law cases in trial and appellate courts throughout the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

He was appointed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on September 5, 2023 by DeSantis.

“Gunnam and his wife were married in Jacksonville in 1997 and moved to Central Florida with their two children in 2014, where they remain active members of their church and community.” He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Federalist Society.

Mize received a bachelor’s degree in history and finance from the University of Florida. He then attended the University of Florida College of Law and graduated with honors, ranking in the top 2% of his class, according to Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“While in law school, Judge Mize served as editor of the Florida Law Review and president of the University of Florida chapter of the Federalist Society. Upon graduation, Judge Mize was inducted into the Order of the Coif on the basis of academic achievement. “

Mize began his career in private practice at a prominent Tampa law firm and later practiced law at two national law firms as well as his own law firm, litigating complex commercial disputes, intellectual property disputes and cases on consumer protection in federal and state courts throughout the United States.

In February 2021, Mize was appointed to the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Voters in Orange and Osceola counties voted for him to retain the position in 2022. On January 1, 2023, he was appointed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals by Ron DeSantis.

Mize is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Federalist Society.

Smith received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in accounting with honors from Fort Hays State University in 1996. In 2000, he graduated third in his class (along with his wife) from Washburn University School of Law with honors. praise according to Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Smith served from 2002 to 2006 in the United States Air Force as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, enlisting after 9/11.

After serving in the Air Force, Smith worked for a Florida law firm representing contractors and homeowners involved in lien and contract disputes. He has also handled product liability, retail and other construction cases involving significant personal injury and/or property damage, as well as other commercial litigation, and banking and finance matters.

In 2014, Smith received his board certification in construction law from the Florida Bar, a certification he held until he took his position with the bar.

In 2017, Scott appointed Smith to the county board, and in 2018, he was elected by Hillsborough voters in a contested election. Smith has served in the District Civil Court, District Criminal Court and Domestic Violence Court.

In 2019, DeSantis appointed Smith to the district bench, where he served on the United Families Division. He joined the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in January 2023 following his appointment by DeSantis.

Smith is the former president of the Stann Givens Court Inn. He has presided over several high school mock trials and “he values the opportunity to mentor young students throughout the process.”

Smith is married and has four children.

White was born in Hawaii and moved to Florida when he was 10 months old. He graduated from Rockledge High School as valedictorian, then earned an associate’s degree from Brevard Community College. He received his Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Central Florida. He received his Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Florida State University. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He was a partner in the Orlando office of a prominent law firm. He has represented a variety of clients in commercial litigation, labor and employment litigation. He has tried cases in state, federal, trial and appellate courts, including the Florida Supreme Court, and the Human Relations Commission.

He has served as U.S. District Judge for the Ninth Judicial Circuit since February 1, 2011. He received nearly 72% of the vote in the 2012 election and was re-elected unopposed in 2018. He has handled domestic violence, civil, criminal and domestic violence cases in Orange County and the criminal division in Osceola County.

He was appointed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals by DeSantis and joined the court on January 1, 2023.

White currently serves on the Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Contract and Business Cases. He is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Central Florida, the Federalist Society, the George C. Young Americans Court Inn, the Latino Bar Association of Central Florida, the Orange County Bar Association and the Paul K. Perkins Bar Association.

He previously served as vice mayor, councilman and member of the City of Maitland Zoning Board of Adjustments. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Central Florida Alumni Association and served as Guardian ad Litem of the Orange County Bar Association.

White and his wife have been married since 1995 and are active members of Grace Church, where he serves as a volunteer in student ministry.

How can I view the opinions of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals?

The court issues written opinions on Friday, which are posted online shortly after 11 a.m.

They can be found at Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals website.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)