Miami, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced three appointments to the Eleventh Circuit Court covering Miami-Dade and four appointments to the Miami-Dade County Court.

“Today, I am excited to make seven judicial appointments – three to the 11th Circuit Court of Florida and four to the Miami-Dade County Court,” said Governor DeSantis. “It is imperative that judges understand the importance of their work on the bench, which does not include legislating from the bench. I’m confident that each of these appointees understand the proper role of the courts and will faithfully uphold the rule of law.”

Judge Ramiro Areces

Areces, of Coral Gables, is a Miami-Dade County Court Judge. He previously served as a solo practitioner. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and his law degree from the University of Miami College of Law. Areces fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Renatha Francis to the Fifteenth Circuit Court.

Judge Christina DiRaimondo

DiRaimondo, of Biscayne Park, is a Miami-Dade County Court Judge. She previously served as the Assistant State Attorney for the Eleventh Circuit Court. She received her bachelor’s degree from Iona College and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University. DiRaimondo fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Diane Ward.

Judge Robert Watson

Watson, of Coral Gables, is a Miami-Dade County Court Judge. He previously served as an attorney at Kobre and Kim LLP and as an Assistant United States Attorney. He received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and his law degree from Stanford Law School. Watson fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John Thornton.

Elisabeth Espinosa

Espinosa, of Miami, is an attorney at Cole, Scott and Kissane. She previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the 13^th Circuit State Attorney’s Office. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Stetson University College of law. Espinosa fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge William Altfield to the Eleventh Circuit Court.

Julie Harris Nelson

Nelson, of Miami, is a partner at ROIG Lawyers. She is a litigator who started her practice as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from St. Thomas University College of Law. Nelson fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Gina Beovides to the Eleventh Circuit Court.

Miesha Darrough

Darrough, of Miami, is a Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. She previously served as the Assistant U.S. Attorney and as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade. She received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her law degree from Howard University School of Law. Darrough fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Laura Sharon Cruz to the Eleventh Circuit Court.

Ayana Harris

Harris, of Hialeah, is an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida. She previously served as the Assistant Public Defender in the Eleventh Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her law degree from Howard University School of Law. Harris fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Samuel Slom.

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