Gov. Ron DeSantis selected Ray Treadwell on Friday to the First District Court of Appeal to replace Judge Bradford Thomas, who resigned in February. 

The First District Court of Appeal (First DCA) services five circuit courts, including the Eighth Judicial Circuit headquartered in Gainesville. Appeals from Alachua County cases rise to the First DCA.  

Treadwell previously worked as chief deputy general counsel to DeSantis’s office, along with general counsel for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. He’s been a shareholder at Florida law firm Lawson Huck Gonzalez PLLC since 2023. 

He’s also taught courses on judicial power and emergency litigation at UF and Florida State University. He earned his law degree from Yale University in 2011 and attended UF for his undergraduate degree.  

According to The Florida Bar, the open seat attracted 14 applicants. A judicial nominating commission sent six recommendations to DeSantis for the position, including five current judges (Judge Brittany O. Finkbeiner, Judge Jennifer J. Frydrychowicz, Judge R. Todd Harris, Judge Joshua M. Hawkes, Judge Lance E. Neff) and Treadwell.  

Thomas announced his retirement in January after 20 years on the First DCA. He served as chief judge for a two-year stint from 2017 to 2019.  

The First DCA reviews cases appealed from five lower circuit courts, and Treadwell will join 12 other judges on the court. In the last year, the First DCA has had 2,933 cases filed for decisions.