The Florida Supreme Court has unanimously elected Justice John D. Couriel as the state’s next chief justice, effective July 1.
The 47-year-old Couriel, a Miami native appointed to the court in 2020 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, will succeed Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz. Muñiz will complete his second two-year term as chief justice on June 30 and remain on the court as an associate justice.
As chief justice, Couriel will serve a two-year term as the administrative head of Florida’s entire judicial branch.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for their trust and am indebted to the previous chief justices with whom I’ve served,” Couriel said in a statement. “I will do my best to serve the people of Florida as they so ably have.”
The court announced the selection Thursday. Six of the seven current justices were appointed by DeSantis.
Couriel will become the 58th chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
