Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced the appointment of Shutts & Bowen LLP Tallahassee partner Nicholas Meros to the Second Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), with his term running through July 1, 2027.
The 27 separate JNCs act as the panels that recommend lawyers for judgeships, selecting nominees to fill judicial vacancies within the Florida court system. The Supreme Court, appellate districts, and circuit JNCs consist of nine members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor.
“I’m honored to be appointed by Governor DeSantis to the Second Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission,” said Nick. “It was a privilege to advise the Governor and his General Counsel on his appointment of judges that are fair, principled, and committed to the rule of law. I look forward to working with my fellow members to continue recommending candidates who reflect and implement these indispensable values.”
Nick represents public and private clients in high profile, high stakes litigation and appeals, specializing in complex constitutional, administrative, and environmental litigation. Nick litigates all forms of complex statutory and constitutional challenges, including separation of powers, freedom of speech and assembly, due process, equal protection, election law, public records and sunshine law violations, and environmental law. He also represents landowners and developers in land use, eminent domain, and other real property litigation in state and federal courts and before the Division of Administrative Hearings. Nick has briefed and argued dispositive motions before state and federal trial courts and has briefed and argued appeals before Florida’s district courts of appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Six additional Shutts partners currently serve on Judicial Nominating Commissions. In 2024, Tallahassee partner Daniel Nordby was re-appointed to serve on the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission until July 1, 2026. Also in 2024, Tallahassee partner Denise Harle was appointed to the Second Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, with a term ending July 1, 2028. Tallahassee partner Ben Gibson has served on the First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission since 2018, and was elected to serve as Vice-Chair of the Commission on July 10, 2019. In 2023, West Palm Beach partner Patricia M. Flanagan was appointed a member of Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. John Meagher, Chair of Shutts & Bowen’s Insurance Practice Group and Managing Partner of the firm’s Miami office, was appointed to serve on the Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. In 2022, Tallahassee partner Amber S. Nunnally was appointed to the First District Court of Appeal’s Judicial Nominating Commission.
To see the Governor’s press release on the appointment, click here.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Shutts & Bowen LLP, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 280 lawyers in offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.