Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the appointments of Cary Rada to the Fifth Circuit Court, George Wright to the Eighth Circuit Court, William Henry to the Fourteenth Circuit Court, Paige Gillman to the Fifteenth Circuit Court, Tabitha Blackmon to the Broward County Court, Jason Jones to the Leon County Court, Cristina Rivera Correa to the Miami-Dade County Court and Chiaka Ihekwaba to the Miami-Dade County Court.
Cary Rada
Rada, of Tavares, has been a Judge for the Lake County Court since 2018. He previously served as a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. Rada fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mark Hill.
George Wright
Wright, of Gainesville, has been an Assistant State Attorney for the Eighth Circuit since 2008. He previously served as a clerk for the Honorable Maurice Paul in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. Wright fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James Nilon.
William Henry
Henry, of Lynn Haven, is an Attorney/Shareholder, for Burke, Blue, Hutchinson, Smith, Zimmerman, Burke, Henry & Masters, P.A. He previously served as an associate for Fowler, White, Boggs & Banker. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. Henry fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael Overstreet.
Paige Gillman
Gillman, of Palm Beach Gardens, has been a Judge for the Palm Beach County Court since 2018. She previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Nineteenth Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. Gillman fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jessica Ticktin.
Tabitha Blackmon
Blackmon, of Fort Lauderdale, has been a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office since 2017. She previously served as an attorney for the Attorney General’s Office. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. Blackmon fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Michael Davis.
Jason Jones
Jones, of Tallahassee, has been the General Counsel for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement since 2015. He previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Second Circuit. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Florida State University College of Law. Jones fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Anthony Miller.
Cristina Rivera Correa
Correa, of Coral Gables, has been an Assistant School Board Attorney for the Miami-Dade County School Board since 2013. She previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Eleventh Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Florida International University. Correa fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Zachary James.
Chiaka Ihekwaba
Ihekwaba, of Miami, has been an Assistant State Attorney for the Eleventh Circuit since 2001. She has served as Division Chief in the Felony Division. She received her Barrister-at-Law degree from the Nigerian Law School, her LL.M. from King’s College in London, and her law degree (J.D.) from St. Thomas University. Ihekwaba fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Lody Jean.
