Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit proudly announces that Circuit Court Judge Jonathan D. Lott has been appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Judge Lott currently serves in the Circuit’s Family Division.

“It is my pleasure to appoint you to the Fourth District Court of Appeal,” Governor Ron DeSantis wrote in an Oct. 30th letter to Judge Lott. “Your appointment is evidence of my utmost confidence in your ability to serve with excellence and distinction. Congratulations and thank you for your willingness to serve the people of Florida.”

DeSantis first appointed Judge Lott to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit on Nov. 25, 2024, and he assumed the bench on Jan. 1, 2025.

“It’s an honor to have been selected by the governor,” Judge Lott said.

The last time a judge from the 17th Judicial Circuit was appointed to the Fourth DCA was in January 2008, when Judge Dorian K. Damoorgian received the appointment from Governor Charlie Crist.

“On behalf of the 17th Judicial Circuit, we congratulate Judge Lott on his appointment to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Judge Lott is a respected jurist and well-liked by his colleagues, serving in a very challenging division,” Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips said. “We are so proud of him and will miss him but know he will be an awesome addition to the Appellate Court.”

Originally from Pensacola, Judge Lott is a 2014 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and a member of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section. A Fort Lauderdale resident, he previously worked for four years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he was assigned to the civil division.