Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced that 15th Circuit Court Judge Renatha Francis will become the newest justice on the Florida Supreme Court, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Al Lawson earlier this year.
Francis will become the only Black member of the high court when she takes her new post on Sept. 1. An immigrant from Jamaica, Francis will also become the first Caribbean-American to serve on the Supreme Court
“Judge Renatha Francis has an incredible life story that epitomizes the American Dream and proves that those who come to our country have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and, through hard work and the application of their God-given talents, reach the highest heights of whatever field they choose,” DeSantis said during his announcement in West Palm Beach.
The governor chose Francis from a field of six finalists. Two years ago, DeSantis also chose Francis to fill an opening on the high court, but the state Supreme Court eventually disqualified her because at that time she had not been a member of the Florida Bar for 10 years – a requirement for those nominated to become high court justices.
A legal challenge to her nomination was filed by Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D-Windermere) in 2020, leading to the high court’s decision to declare Francis ineligible. Thompson on Friday criticized the appointment, citing Francis’ conservative legal philosophy.
“Floridians lack confidence in the courts because they see that people are being appointed based on political agenda rather than knowledge of the law and fairness,” Thompson said in a statement emailed to the Florida Record. “It’s disturbing.”
Critics also claimed that Francis was not candid on her application for the Supreme Court post, which was sent to the Florida Bar’s nominating panel. She indicated that no ethics complaints against her had been submitted to the Judicial Qualifications Commissions, but critics said there were three such complaints in her record.
“Will Judge Francis be so beholden to the governor that she will fail to exercise her independence when issues such as the governor’s racially and politically gerrymandered redistricting maps, open-gun carry, abortion and other issues come before the court?” Thompson asked. “That’s the concern now.”
Francis said she was humbled by the appointment and would apply the law as it was written by duly elected state representatives.
“I may be taking my seat on the bench two years later than anticipated,” she said on Friday, “but as a student of history I continue to be in awe of this country’s respect for the rule of law and the freedoms guaranteed in the text of the United States Constitution.”
Francis is a former business owner in Jamaica and received her juris doctorate from Florida Coastal Law School. She and her husband, Phillip, have two young sons.