Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Tesha Ballou to the Eighteenth Circuit Court, Stephanie Silver and Zachary James to the Miami-Dade County Court, Charles Young to the Escambia County Court and Anthony Salem to the Duval County Court.

Ballou, 49, of Sanford, has been a General Magistrate for Seminole County since 2015. She previously served as a prosecutor for the Fifth Circuit State Attorney’s Office. She received her bachelor’s degree from Stone Hill College and her law degree from New England School of Law. Ballou fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Tonya Rainwater.

Silver, 42, of Miami, has been Assistant State Attorney for the 11^th Circuit State Attorney’s Office since 2000. She is currently the Chief of the County Court Division. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and her law degree from Florida State University. Silver fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Michelle Barakat.

James, 39, of Miami, has been a partner at Meland, Russin and Budwick P.A. since 2011. He formerly served as a prosecutor for the United States Attorney’s Office. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from the University of Miami. James fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Tanya Brinkely.

Young, 58, of Pensacola, has been an attorney at Clark Partington & Hart since 2018. He formerly served as a civics teacher before attending law school. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and his law degree from Florida State University. Young fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Joyce Williams.

Salem, 34, of Jacksonville, has been an Assistant General for the City of Jacksonville since 2017. He previously served as a prosecutor for the Fourth Circuit State Attorney’s Office. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. Salem fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Meredith Charbula.

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