DeSantis Appoints First Jamaican-Born Florida Supreme Court Justice

Judge Renatha Francis accepts appointment to Florida Supreme Court with Gov. Ron DeSantis looking on Aug. 5, 2022. Courtesy of the Florida governor's office

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–On Sept. 1, 2022, Renatha Francis will take her seat on the Florida Supreme Court. She is the first Jamaican-born judge to hold the position and, for Gov. Ron DeSantis, it was a “fight to get her on the court.”

She will replace Justice Alan Lawson, who is retiring at the end of August.