Gov. Rick Scott appointed Lester Bass to serve as a Duval County Court judge.
Bass, 51, of Jacksonville has been a general magistrate and hearing officer in the 4th Judicial Circuit since 2003.
He fills a vacancy created when Scott appointed Judge Russell Healey to the Circuit Court bench.
He has also served as an assistant public defender in Hillsborough County and an assistant state attorney in the 4th Circuit.
Bass is a member of the Class of 2009 Leadership Jacksonville and the board of directors for Operation New Hope, a nonprofit organization that assists released prisoners with job training and placement.
Bass received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Throughout his career, Lester has been committed to his community and public service,” Scott said. “I am confident that Lester will continue to serve families in Duval County with dedication and integrity.”
Watson joins firm of Epstein & Robbins
Jennifer Watson has joined Epstein & Robbins as an associate.
Watson previously worked with the Office of Public Defender in Duval County, where she was chief of the misdemeanor division. While at the public defender’s office, she assisted with the pro bono opportunities program and was named 2013 employee of the year.
Watson received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Florida and her law degree from Florida State University.
Before joining the public defender’s office, Watson handled administrative workers’ compensation defense cases at Eraclides, Johns, Hall, Gelman, Johannessen & Goodman in South Florida.
She is a member of The Jacksonville Bar Association and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.