New Clay County Judge Melissa Merritt began hearing cases the week of Aug. 3 after being appointed to the bench by Gov. Ron DeSantis in July.
She is a double graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in journalism and a J.D. from the Levin College of Law.
After being admitted to The Florida Bar in 2010, Merritt moved to Clay County where she joined the State Attorney’s Office. As an assistant state attorney, she tried more than 25 jury trials ranging from DUI to attempted murder.
In 2026, she entered private practice specializing in family law. Most recently, Merritt was an associate at Nichols & Pina in Jacksonville.