The 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission sent four nominees to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court Bench created by the retirement of Judge Karen Cole to Gov. Ron DeSantis after interviewing eight applicants Aug. 13.
They are:
• Brooke Brady, a general magistrate and hearing officer in the 4th Circuit.
After graduating from Stetson University College of Law, she was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2001.
Brady began her career as an assistant state attorney in Clearwater, then moved to Jacksonville where she went into private practice before joining the State Attorney’s Office in the 4th Circuit in 2005. Brady was appointed magistrate in 2017.
• James Kallaher, a shareholder at Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin in Jacksonville.
A graduate of Florida Coastal School of Law, he was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2001.
Kallaher began his career as an assistant state attorney in the 4th Circuit, then went into private practice in Clay County in 2004. He joined Marshall Dennehey in June.
• Duval County Judge London Kite, who DeSantis appointed to the bench in 2020.
After graduating from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Kite was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2003.
She is a former assistant state attorney in the 4th Circuit and adjunct professor at Florida Coastal School of Law from 2008 to 2018.
• Kimber Strawbridge, a general magistrate and hearing officer in the 4th Circuit, appointed in 2017.
Strawbridge graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2011 and was a child’s best interest attorney with Guardian ad Litem in Jacksonville before she was appointed magistrate.
Each nominee will be interviewed by staff in the governor’s office. DeSantis has 60 days to appoint one of the nominees or ask the commission to provide additional candidates.
