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Justice John D. Couriel Named Next Chief Justice of Florida Supreme Court
Couriel, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2020, will begin his two-year term on July 1.
Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:29am
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The appointment of a new chief justice signals a shift in the Florida Supreme Court's direction, with potentially far-reaching implications for the state's legal landscape.Palm Beach TodayJustice John D. Couriel has been named the next chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Couriel, who was appointed to the court by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020, will begin his two-year term as chief justice on July 1.
Why it matters
The chief justice plays a critical role in leading the state's highest court and setting the judicial agenda. Couriel's appointment comes at a time of heightened political tensions in Florida, with the state's judiciary increasingly seen as a battleground between the Republican-led government and Democratic-leaning advocacy groups.
The details
Couriel, 45, has served on the Florida Supreme Court since his appointment by Governor DeSantis in 2020. Prior to joining the court, he was a partner at the Miami law firm Kobre & Kim, where he specialized in complex commercial litigation. Couriel is considered a conservative jurist and is expected to align with the court's current Republican majority.
- Justice Couriel will begin his two-year term as chief justice on July 1, 2026.
The players
Justice John D. Couriel
A 45-year-old justice on the Florida Supreme Court who was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020. Couriel will begin a two-year term as chief justice on July 1, 2026.
Governor Ron DeSantis
The Republican governor of Florida who appointed Justice Couriel to the state's Supreme Court in 2020.
What’s next
The Florida Supreme Court will continue to play a key role in high-profile legal battles over issues like abortion, voting rights, and environmental regulations in the coming years under Couriel's leadership as chief justice.
The takeaway
Couriel's appointment as chief justice solidifies the conservative tilt of Florida's highest court, which is likely to have significant implications for the state's legal and political landscape in the years ahead.
