Effective January 1, 2023, the state of Florida will add a sixth district court of appeal and reorganize other district courts. Appeals from the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties, will be heard by the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach, rather than the First District.

On November 2, 2022, the First District held its last oral arguments in Jacksonville. Bryan Gowdy and Rebecca Creed each argued cases. The First District then held a ceremonial session recognizing the contributions of appellate judges and lawyers hailing from the Fourth Judicial Circuit.  

A detailed article on the transition, including details of the appointment and reorganization of judges, can be found here:

The Catholic Lawyers Guild through their president, Bryan Gowdy, invited Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz to fellowship with them in Jacksonville recently.  Chief Justice Muñiz started his day at a luncheon with the Catholic Lawyers Guild at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse before meeting with the local legal community including law students, local Bar leaders and judges.  "We are happy he accepted our invitation . . ." said Gowdy.  You can read here the full article on the Chief Justice's visit to Jacksonville.

On Wednesday, October 5, attorney Bryan Gowdy will moderate the virtual preview presented by the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of The Federalist Society.

After bus crash victims secured a $7 million dollar verdict, the bus operator moved for a new trial based on false answers given by two jurors during the jury selection process. After conducting an evidentiary hearing, the district denied the motion for a new trial. The bus operator appealed that denial to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.  Bryan Gowdy orally argued the case on September 15, 2022, and  twelve days later, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of the motion for a new trial.

You can read the decision here. 

Due to Hurricane Ian, the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society will postpone the Supreme Court Preview virtual webinar from Thursday, September 29, 2022 to Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Those who are already registered for this webinar will be able to use the originate zoom link given upon registration.