Voter information about the Sixth District choices

Voters in 10 Florida counties will be asked whether they want to keep five of the state’s nine judges Sixth District Court.

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

On November 5, voters will decide whether to retain five of the justices by voting yes to retain, or no to retain.

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

Sixth District Court of Appeal newest appellate court in Florida

The Sixth District Court of Appeal, headquartered in Lakeland, became the newest appellate court in the state in January 2023. It represents residents of 10 provinces, which are divided into three circuits:

Ninth Circuit:
10th circuit:
20th circuit:
- Charlotte
- Necklace
- Open spaces
- Henry
- Lee

How many judges are on the Sixth Court of Appeals?

There are nine judges on the Sixth District Court of Appeal.

What is the basic salary for judges at the Sixth Court of Appeals?

The the base salary is $218,939, according to Ballotpedia.

How long do judges serve on appellate courts?

Judges serve six-year terms and are eligible for consecutive terms by merit retention vote in their districts.

What do Florida appellate courts do?

“The purpose of the Florida district courts is to provide the opportunity for thoughtful review of decisions of lower tribunals by multi-judge panels,” the Florida Courts said.

“District courts correct harmful errors and ensure that decisions are consistent with our rights and freedoms. This process contributes to the development, clarity and consistency of the law.”

Under the Florida courts, the district courts can hear appeals from final orders in circuit trials and in most county trials, and can review certain non-final orders.

Brownlee grew up in Orlando, said Sixth District Court.

Brownlee earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies and French studies from Emory University in 2004. In 2009, she received her Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University College of Law, where she completed the College of Law’s certificate program in International Law. honor.

Before joining the bank, Brownlee was a partner at The Brownlee Law Firm. PA Governor Rick Scott appointed Brownlee to the Judicial Nomination Commissions for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in 2012 and to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in 2017.

After law school, Judge Brownlee returned to Orlando and began her legal career at an appellate law firm, where she had the opportunity to argue cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Circuit. the Ninth Circuit, and in the Florida district courts, Brownlee eventually joined her husband at The Brownlee Law Firm, PA.

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

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 American Inn of Court, and the Federalist Society.

Gannam was born in Savannah, Georgia, and moved to Florida before his first birthday. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of North Florida in 1996, and his juris doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1999, according to the Sixth District Court.

Gannam spent the first six years of his legal career in Jacksonville at two international law firms, where he practiced business litigation and class action defense.

He then spent eight years at a Jacksonville firm, where he became a partner and practiced a wide range of business and consumer litigation, including construction, real estate, corporate governance, employment, and asset and trust litigation, as well as consumer prosecution. . actions and pro bono constitutional lawsuits.

In 2014, Gannam joined an international public interest law firm, where he litigated constitutional cases in trial and appellate courts across the country, including the United States Supreme Court.

He was appointed to the Sixth District Court by DeSantis on September 5, 2023.

“Gannam and his wife were married in 1997 in Jacksonville 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 his bachelor’s degree in history and finance from the University of Florida. He then attended the University of Florida College of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude in the top 2% of his class, according to the Sixth District Court.

During law school, Judge Mize was 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 based on academic achievement. “

Mize began his career in private practice at a leading law firm in Tampa before becoming an attorney at two national law firms, as well as his own law firm, where he litigated complex commercial, intellectual property, and consumer protection cases in federal and state courts around the world. United States.

In February 2021, Mize was appointed to the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Votes in Orange and Osceola counties elected him to retain that position in 2022. He was appointed to the Sixth District Court of Appeal by Ron DeSantis on January 1, 2023.

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

Smith graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelor of Business Administration 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, magna cum laude, according to the Sixth District Court.

Smith served in the U.S. Air Force from 2002 to 2006 as part of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and enlisted in the Army after September 11.

After serving in the Air Force, Smith practiced at a statewide law firm in Florida, where he represented contractors and homeowners involved in lien and contract disputes. He also handled product liability, hospitality and other construction cases involving significant personal injury and/or property damage, as well as other commercial litigation and banking and financial matters.

In 2014, Smith obtained his board certification in construction law from the Florida Bar, a certification he maintained until assuming his position on the bench.

In 2017, Smith was appointed to the county bench by Scott, and in 2018 he was elected by Hillsborough voters in a contentious election. Smith has served in the provincial civil court, provincial criminal court and domestic violence court.

In 2019, Smith was appointed to the circuit bench by DeSantis, where he served in the Unified Family Division. He joined the Sixth District Court in January 2023 following his appointment by DeSantis.

Smith is a former president of the Stann Givens Family Law Inn of Court. He has chaired several high school mock trials and “values the opportunity to guide young students through 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 as co-valedictorian from Rockledge High School and went on to earn his associate degree from Brevard Community College. He received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering, summa cum laude, from the University of Central Florida. He received his juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from Florida State University, according to the Sixth District Court.

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

Since February 1, 2011, he has served as a judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. In the 2012 elections he received almost 72% of the vote, and in 2018 he was re-elected unopposed. He was involved in domestic violence, civil violence, criminal justice and domestic relations divisions in Orange County, and a criminal justice division in Osceola County.

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

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

He previously served as vice mayor, councilman and member of the Board of Zoning Adjustment for the City of Maitland. He chaired the board of directors of the University of Central Florida Alumni Association and served as Guardian ad Litem through 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 Student Ministry volunteer.

How can you view the opinions of the Sixth District Court of Appeal?

The court will issue written opinions on Friday, which will be posted on the website shortly after 11 a.m

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

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