Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Appointed Shannon Shaw, Caroline Shepherd, Richard Martin and Jeffrey Rich to serve as Judges

 

Governor Ron DeSantis

📰 Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Four Judicial Appointments Across Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | July 17, 2025 — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the appointment of four accomplished legal professionals to serve on state appellate and circuit courts, further shaping the judiciary with experienced and credentialed figures.

Fourth District Court of Appeal Appointments

Shannon Shaw – Jupiter, Florida

Shannon Shaw has been appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. She currently serves as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, a position she has held since 2017. Prior to that, Shaw was an Associate at Hunton & Williams LLP and also served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable K. Michael Moore and the Honorable James King of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
A graduate of Duke University and Vanderbilt University Law School, Shaw will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Warner.

Caroline Shepherd – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Caroline Shepherd, currently serving as a Circuit Court Judge in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, has also been appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Shepherd brings a wealth of judicial and prosecutorial experience, having previously served as both a County Court Judge and an Assistant State Attorney in Palm Beach County.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and her law degree from the New England School of Law. Shepherd replaces Judge Damoorgian, who recently stepped down from the bench.

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Appointments

Richard Martin – Tampa, Florida

Richard Martin will now serve as a Judge on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court. He has been a County Court Judge in Hillsborough County since 2023 and previously held the position of Chief of Staff at the Florida Office of the Attorney General. Martin is an alumnus of the University of Florida and earned his Juris Doctor from Florida State University. He assumes the seat vacated by the elevation of Judge Moe.

Jeffrey Rich – Tampa, Florida

Also appointed to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court is Jeffrey Rich, who has served as a County Court Judge in Hillsborough County since 2021. Before taking the bench, Rich was a solo practitioner, running The Law Office of Jeffrey M. Rich. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. He fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Judge Ward.

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Governor DeSantis emphasized that these appointments reflect his ongoing commitment to “upholding the rule of law and appointing judges who will apply the law fairly and faithfully.”

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READ MORE: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Appointed Jason Jones, Aaron Hubbard, Javier Pacheco, and John Reed to serve as judges

🔹 Top 10 FAQs: Ron DeSantis’ Latest Judicial Appointments (July 2025)

1. Who did Governor Ron DeSantis appoint as judges in July 2025?
   Governor DeSantis appointed Shannon Shaw, Caroline Shepherd, Richard Martin, and Jeffrey Rich to judicial positions in Florida.

2. Which court will Shannon Shaw serve on?
   Shannon Shaw was appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

3. What position did Caroline Shepherd hold before her latest appointment?
   Caroline Shepherd was a Circuit Court Judge in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

4. What experience does Shannon Shaw bring to her new role?
   Shaw served as an Assistant United States Attorney and previously worked as a Judicial Law Clerk and Associate at Hunton & Williams LLP.

5. Who filled the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Warner?
   Shannon Shaw was appointed to fill that vacancy.

6. What is the educational background of Jeffrey Rich?
   Jeffrey Rich earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law.

7. Who was appointed to replace Judge Damoorgian?
   Caroline Shepherd was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Judge Damoorgian’s resignation.

8. Which judges were appointed to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court?
   Richard Martin and Jeffrey Rich were appointed to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa.

9. What was Richard Martin’s role prior to his appointment as Judge?
   He served as a County Court Judge for Hillsborough County and was the Chief of Staff at the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

10. Why are these judicial appointments important?
    These appointments help shape Florida’s judiciary and reflect Governor DeSantis’ conservative approach to law and order.

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