Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Ten Judicial Appointments

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announces ten judicial appointments.

David Arthmann, of Fort Lauderdale, to serve as Judge on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court

Arthmann has served as the General Counsel for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles since 2023. Previously, he worked as the Director of Human Resources for the Florida Department of Corrections. He earned his bachelor's degree from Nova Southeastern University and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Arthmann fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Rebollo.

Jeremy Franker, of Wellington, to serve as Judge on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court

Judge Franker has served as a County Court Judge for Broward County since his appointment by Governor DeSantis. Previously, he served as a Trial Attorney for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and his juris doctor from St. Louis University. Judge Franker fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Haury.

Jeffrey Hendriks, of Port St. Lucie, to serve as Judge on the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court

Judge Hendriks has served as a County Court Judge for St. Lucie County since his appointment by Governor DeSantis. Previously, he served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Judge Hendriks fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Roby.

Daniel Mittleman, of Palm City, to serve as Judge on the Martin County Court

Mittleman has served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit since 2020. He earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Mittleman fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Roberts.

Megan Leaf, of Sarasota, to serve as Judge on the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court

Judge Leaf has served as a County Court Judge for Sarasota County since her appointment by Governor DeSantis. Previously, she served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor's degree from Florida State University and her juris doctor from Stetson University. Judge Leaf fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Smith.

Parker Hall, of Arcadia, to serve as Judge on the DeSoto County Court

Hall has worked as an Associate at Silverio & Hall P.A. since 2018. He earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from Stetson University. Hall fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Flowers.

Kaylin Humerickhouse, of Sarasota, to serve as Judge on the Sarasota County Court

Humerickhouse has worked as an Associate at Bentley, Goodrich, Kison, P.A. since 2022. Previously, she served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and her juris doctor from Stetson University. Humerickhouse fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Legler.

Stephanie Vargas, of Orlando, to serve as Judge on the Orange County Court

Vargas has served as an Assistant County Attorney for the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners since 2024 and has served as a Judge Advocate for the United States Army since 2019. Previously, she served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and her juris doctor from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Vargas fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Skipper.

Elvis Santiago, of Orlando, to serve as Judge on the Orange County Court

Santiago has served as an Assistant Chief Counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2007 and has served as a Judge Advocate for the United States Air Force. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Santiago fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Bain.

Patrick King, of Jay, to serve as Judge on the Santa Rosa County Court

King has served as an Assistant State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit since 2018. Previously, he worked as a Supervising Attorney for the Department of Children and Families. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and his juris doctor from Samford University. King fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Gordon.