• 2022 Senior Judge

  • 2020 Administrative Circuit Judge, Civil

  • 2017-2019 Circuit Judge, Orange County Criminal

  • 2013-2016 Circuit Judge, Orange County Civil

  • 2013 Circuit Judge, Orange County Criminal

  • 2010-2012 Circuit Judge, Orange County Civil

  • 2007-2009 Circuit Judge, Osceola County Civil

  • 2005-2006 Circuit Judge, Orange County Criminal

  • 2003-2004 Circuit Judge, Orange County Juvenile

  • Juris Doctor: Florida State University, College of Law (1972)

  • Bachelor of Arts: Rollins College (1970)

  • Board Certified – Civil Trial Lawyer by The Florida Bar (1986-2021)

  • Director, Statewide Judicial Mentor Program (2009)

  • Supreme Court Civil Jury Instruction Committee (2010-2014)

  • Commissioner, Ninth Judicial Circuit Civil Courts Commission (1998-2002)

  • Governor, Board of Governors, Florida Bar (1997-2002)

    • Program Evaluation and Communications Committees (1998-1999)
    • Chair of the Pro Bono Legal Services Committee (1998-1999)
    • Special Committee to Review the Equal Justice Fellowship Project (1998-1999)
    • Public Member Information Committee (1998-1999)
    • Special Appointed Presidential Committee on Election Reform (1998-1999)
    • Nominating Committee for the Florida Bar Lay Persons Committee (1998-1999)
    • Special Committee on Fellowship (1998-1999)
    • Special Committee on House Counsel Insurance Practices (1998-1999)
    • Chair, Program Evaluation Committee (1999-2000)
    • Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee (2004-2010, Chairman 2007-2009)
    • Vice Chair, Program Evaluation Committee (2000-2001)
    • Chair, Certification Plan Appeals Committee (2001-2002)
    • Chair, Disciplinary Review Committee (2001-2002)

  • President, American Board of Trial Advocates (1999)

  • President, Teen Alternatives (1996)

  • Co-Founder, Orange County Teen Court (1994-1999)

  • Co-Founder, Doctor/Lawyer Drug Awareness Partnership Program (1993-1998)

  • President, Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association (1992)

  • President, Orange County Bar Association (1991)

  • Faculty Member

    • Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges 2004-2018
    • Advanced Judicial Studies 2004-2017
    • Florida Judicial College 2010-2013 & 2017

  • Trial Judge of the Year - Central Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, 2010

  • The James G. Glazebrook Memorial Bar Service Award For Professionalism - The Orange County Bar Association, 2011

  • Outstanding Jurist of the Year - The Young Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar, 2011

  • Judge James G. Glazebrook Memorial Outstanding Member Award For Fostering Professionalism, Ethics and Civility - The George C. Young First Central Florida America Inns of Court, 2011

  • Recognition Award for Developing The Brown Bag Luncheon Series - Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association, 2016

  • Distinguished Alumni Award - Florida State University College of Law Alumni Association, 2010

Senior Judge John Marshall Kest
Senior
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