Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed R. Anthony Salem to the Duval County Court.
He will succeed Duval County Judge Meredith Charbula, who was appointed in April by DeSantis to fill a vacancy on the 4th Judicial Circuit Court created by the retirement of Judge John Skinner.
Salem, 34, is an assistant city general counsel specializing in employment litigation and is a former assistant state attorney.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of Florida, he graduated from Stetson University College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2010.
Salem is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society and the Ramallah American Club of Jacksonville.
A first-time applicant for the bench, Salem said in his interview with the Judicial Nominating Commission that he is “drawn to the courtroom and its impact on people.”
He also said he views appointment to the county court as a step toward the circuit bench.
“Sometimes, you have to walk before you run,” he said.
The date of Salem’s installation has not been determined.