Gov. DeSantis appoints 3 Judges in Miami-Dade, 2 in Tallahassee

Gov. Ron DeSantis just filled a handful of bench vacancies, three in Florida’s most populous county and two in the state’s capital.

In Miami-Dade, DeSantis named County Court Judge Christina Correa and Assistant State Attorney Jose Rohaidy to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. He also tapped lawyer Jennifer Levin for a judgeship on the Miami-Dade County Court.

All fill vacancies created by the enactment of SB 2508, a measure the Governor signed this year increasing the number of circuit and county court Judges statewide.

Correa has served on the County Court since 2020, having previously worked as an Assistant State Attorney. She holds a Juris Doctor from Florida International University.

Rohaidy, part of State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s team since 2019, previously worked as an associate at Zumpano Patricios and earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University.

Levin, a partner at Stone Glass & Connolly and past associate at Martinez Morales Law, earned her Juris Doctor from FIU, too.

Two Tallahassee lawyers — both of whom have worked in the Legislature — are also donning robes, courtesy of DeSantis’ appointment pen.

The first is Jeremiah Hawkes, who will take a seat on the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court bench, which covers Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties. Hawkes has worked as a senior counsel for Bass Sox & Mercer since 2022. He previously worked as the General Counsel for the Senate and earned his Juris Doctor from Florida State University (FSU).

Carlos Rey, another FSU College of Law alum who has worked as the Senate’s General Counsel since 2023 and a senior attorney since 2020, is joining the Leon County Court. He previously served as an Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of State.

Hawkes’ seat opened up due to SB 2508. Rey’s was made available by the recent elevation of Judge Jason Jones.

Correa is from Coral Gables, while Rohaidy and Levin are from Miami, according to a press note from the Governor’s Office. Hawkes and Rey both live in Tallahassee.