Carlos Muñiz Elected Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court

Justice Carlos G. Muñiz

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Supreme Court today unanimously elected Carlos G. Muñiz as Florida’s next Chief Justice, to begin his two-year term July 1.

Muñiz was appointed to the court on January 22, 2019, by Governor Ron DeSantis. He succeeds Charles T. Canady, who will remain on the court after completing his third term as Chief Justice.

“I’m grateful for the privilege of serving in this capacity, and I join my colleagues in thanking Chief Justice Canady for his outstanding leadership,” Muñiz said. “Our Court’s focus will remain on serving the people of our great state and supporting all the judges and staff who work with us in the judicial branch to administer justice on a daily basis.”

Muñiz, 52, has extensive experience in private practice and as a government attorney, serving before he joined the court as general counsel to the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Betsy DeVos, as deputy attorney general and chief of staff to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, and as deputy general counsel in the administration of Governor Jeb Bush, among other posts in the executive and legislative branches. The seven members of the Florida Supreme Court elect a chief justice to serve a two-year term beginning July 1 in even-numbered years. Court rules call for selection “based on managerial, administrative, and leadership abilities, without regard to seniority only.”

Florida’s chief justice serves as the administrative officer of the judicial branch and of the Supreme Court. Authority and powers of the chief justice include the responsibility to serve as the primary spokesperson for the judicial branch about policies of statewide import, including the management, operation, legislative agenda and budget priorities of the state’s courts.

Canady will conclude his third, and second consecutive, term on June 30. His tenure included guiding the State Courts System during the disruption of the pandemic, taking administrative steps to assure access to justice for the people. The Supreme Court held its first remote oral arguments in May 2020, joining courts in jurisdictions throughout the state conducting remote proceedings to continue the work of the courts with the aid of technology. Administrative orders issued by Canady set forth the procedures and authorized the emergency rules allowing remote conduct of court events.

“With the commitment of my colleagues on the Supreme Court as well as judges throughout the state, I am proud of our efforts to keep the work of the courts going through this challenging time,” Canady said. “I look forward to my continued service on the Court under the leadership of my friend and colleague Justice Muñiz.”

Justice Muñiz lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Katie Muñiz, and their three children, Robert, William, and Lydia.

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