Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal


The Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida.

History

The Fifth District Court of Appeal was created by the 1979 session of the Florida Legislature. The addition of the Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal in 2023 changed the caseload of the Fifth DCA.
Previously, the Fifth DCA handled cases from the following counties and circuit courts: Lake, Marion, Sumter, Citrus & Hernando ; Volusia, Flagler, Putnam & St. Johns ; Orange & Osceola ; and Brevard & Seminole. The Ninth Circuit was reassigned to the Sixth DCA and the Fourth Circuit was added from the First DCA.

Chief Judges

Judges who have served as Chief Judge of the Fifth DCA include:
  • Thomas D. Sawaya
  • Robert J. Pleus Jr.
  • David A. Monaco
  • Richard B. Orfinger
  • Jay P. Cohen
  • Kerry I. Evander

Active Judges

Judges who are currently serving on the Fifth DCA include:
NameTenureAppointing Governor
Brian D. Lambert - Chief Judge2014–Rick Scott
F. Rand Wallis2013–Rick Scott
James A. Edwards2014–Rick Scott
Eric Eisnaugle2017–Rick Scott
John M. Harris2018–Rick Scott
Scott MakarJanuary 1, 2023Ron DeSantis
Harvey L. JayJanuary 1, 2023Ron DeSantis
Adrian G. SoudJanuary 1, 2023Ron DeSantis
Joe BoatwrightJanuary 1, 2023Ron DeSantis
Paige KilbaneJanuary 1, 2023Ron DeSantis
John MacIverJanuary 1, 2023Ron DeSantis
Jordan E. PrattApril 1, 2023Ron DeSantis

Senior Judges

Senior judges are appointed to temporary judicial duty. Judges who are on senior status at the Fifth DCA include:
  • Richard B. Orfinger
  • Emerson R. Thompson Jr.
  • Bruce W. Jacobus
  • Thomas D. Sawaya