Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed two Miami-Dade County judges to the 11th Judicial Circuit.
DeSantis said Michelle Alvarez Barakat and Tanya Brinkley are "highly regarded" and noted their track records in Miami-Dade County court. Both are University of Miami law school graduates.
Brinkley said she's been pursuing this opportunity for 12 years and called serving Miami-Dade County a "once in a lifetime opportunity." She is replacing Judge Bronwyn Miller who has moved on to the 3rd District Court of Appeal.
Barakat called the appointment an honor and said she plans to do the best possible job "for everyone that appears in court." She's replacing Judge Eric Hendon who is serving on the 3rd District Court of Appeal.
DeSantis recently appointed two 3rd District judges to the Florida Supreme Court.
