Sixth District Election Voter Information
10 mins read

Sixth District Election Voter Information

play

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

All nine justices on the court were appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, serving since January 1, 2023, except for Justice Roger Gannam, who joined the court on September 5, 2023.

On Nov. 5, voters will decide whether to retain five of the judges by voting either yes to retain or no to retain.

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

Sixth District Court of Appeal Latest appellate court in Florida

Headquartered in Lakeland, it became the Sixth District Court newest appellate court in the state in January 2023. It represents residents of 10 counties, which are divided into three constituencies:

  • Ninth Circuit:
  • 10th Circuit:
  • 20th circuit:
    • Charlotte
    • Necklace
    • Happy
    • Henry
    • Leeward

How many judges are there in the Sixth Court of Appeal?

There are nine judges in the Sixth Court of Appeal.

What is the basic salary for judges in the sixth court of appeal?

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

How long do judges serve in courts of appeal?

Judges serve six-year terms and are eligible for consecutive terms under retention voting in their districts.

What do the Florida District Courts of Appeal do?

“The purpose of the Florida District Courts of Appeal is to provide for thoughtful review of lower court decisions by multijudge panels,” according to Florida Courts.

“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.”

The district courts can hear appeals from final judgments in circuit court cases and in most county court cases and can review certain non-final decisions, according to Florida Courts.

Brownlee grew up in Orlando, according to Sixth Court of Appeal.

Brownlee earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and French Studies from Emory University in 2004. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University College of Law in 2009, where she completed the College of Law’s Certificate Program in International Law, cum laude.

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

“After law school, Judge Brownlee returned to Orlando and began her legal career at a boutique appellate litigation law firm, where she had the opportunity to argue cases at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and throughout Florida’s 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, to replace Timothy Shea. DeSantis appointed Brownlee to the Sixth District Court in July 2023 to replace Jay Cohen when he retired.

Brownlee is a member of the Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar, the Orange County Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Committee, 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 Doctor, with honors, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1999, according to Sixth Court of Appeal.

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

He then spent eight years with a Jacksonville firm, becoming a partner and practicing in a broad range of business and consumer litigation, including construction, real estate, corporate governance, employment, and estate and trust litigation, as well as consumer class action. actions and pro bono constitutional disputes.

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 on September 5, 2023 by DeSantis.

“Gannam 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 his undergraduate degrees in history and economics from the University of Florida. He then attended the University of Florida College of Law, graduating magna cum laude in the top 2% of his class, according to Sixth Court of Appeal.

“During law school, Judge Mize served as editor of the ‘Florida Law Review’ and as 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 prominent Tampa law firm before practicing law at two national law firms, as well as his own law firm, litigating complex commercial, intellectual property and consumer protection cases in federal and state courts across the country. USA.

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

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

Smith graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a degree in accounting, summa cum laude, from Fort Hays State University in 1996. In 2000, he graduated third in his class (joined with his wife) from Washburn University School of Law, magna cum laude, according to Sixth Court of Appeal.

Smith served from 2002 to 2006 in the US Air Force as part of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, joining the military after 9/11.

After his service in the Air Force, Smith practiced at a state law firm in Florida, representing contractors and homeowners involved in foreclosure and contract disputes. He also handled product liability, hospitality and other construction matters involving significant personal injury and/or property damage, as well as other commercial disputes and banking and finance matters.

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

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

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

Smith is past president of the Stann Givens Family Law Inn of Court. He has led several middle school mock trials and “he appreciates the opportunity to mentor 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 then earned his associate degree from Brevard Community College. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, summa cum laude, from the University of Central Florida. He received his Juris Doctor degree, with high honors, at Florida State University, according to Sixth Court of Appeal.

He was a partner in the Orlando office of a prominent law firm. He represented a variety of clients in commercial, labor and employment disputes. He handled cases in state and federal, trial and appellate courts, including the Florida Supreme Court, and before the Public Employees Relations Commission.

He has served as a circuit judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit since February 1, 2011. In the 2012 election, he received nearly 72% of the vote and was re-elected unopposed in 2018. He served in the domestic violence, civil, criminal and domestic relations divisions of Orange County, and a Osceola County Criminal Division.

He was appointed to the Sixth District Court by DeSantis, and came to 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 Deputy 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.

Married since 1995, White and his wife are active members of Grace Church, where he volunteers for the student ministry.

How can you see opinions from the Sixth Court of Appeal?

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

They are on Sixth Court of Appeal website.

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