After serving on the Family Court bench in Broward County for less than a year, Judge Jonathan D. Lott is getting another promotion.
Gov. Ron DeSantis this week named Lott to a judgeship at the 4th District Court of Appeal, which serves Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.
“It is my pleasure to appoint you,” DeSantis wrote in a Thursday letter to Lott, according to a press note from the 17th Judicial Circuit, where Lott has served since New Year’s Day.
“Your appointment is evidence of my utmost confidence in your ability to serve with excellence and distinction. Congratulations and thank you for your willingness to serve the people of Florida.”
DeSantis first appointed Lott to the bench on Nov. 25, 2024. Lott assumed the bench Jan. 1.
The last time a Judge from the 17th Judicial Circuit — which serves Broward — was appointed to the 4th District Court of Appeal was in January 2008, when then-Gov. Charlie Crist tapped Judge Dorian K. Damoorgian.
“It’s an honor to be selected by the Governor,” Lott said in a statement.
Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips of the of said in a statement that she and the rest of the Judges and staff of the 17th Judicial Circuit congratulate Lott on the move.
“Judge Lott is a respected jurist and well-liked by his colleagues, serving in a very challenging division,” she said. “We are so proud of him and will miss him but know he will be an awesome addition to the Appellate Court.”
Lott, originally from Pensacola and currently residing in Fort Lauderdale, holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. He is a member of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section.
Prior to donning robes this year, he worked for four years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he was assigned to the Civil Division.
State records show Lott made three state-level donations between 2018 and 2022. Two totaling $145 went to DeSantis’ re-election campaign and now-closed political committee, Empower Parents.
Another $50 went to 17th Judicial Circuit Judge Dan Casey.
