Times staff
Thursday, September 23, 2010
BROOKSVILLE — Gov. Charlie Crist announced Thursday that he has chosen a Lake County judicial magistrate to replace retiring Hernando County Circuit Judge Jack Springstead.
Heidi Davis, 45, of Mount Dora was selected for the open spot on the 5th Judicial Circuit bench over Hernando County attorneys John Napolitano and Steve Toner. The judgeship covers Hernando and Citrus counties.
"Heidi's great respect for the bench, behind-the-scenes experience in the courtroom, and her knowledge of the law will help her serve with fairness and common sense," Crist said in a statement. "Her integrity and work ethic have made her an invaluable addition to the Fifth Judicial Circuit."
Davis has been the general magistrate in Lake County since 2004. Before that, she was a judicial law clerk in Lake County from 2001 to 2004 and from 1998 to 1999. In between her stints as a law clerk, Davis was an associate with the law firm of Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop and Madison, which has offices in Orlando, Coral Gables, Bonita Springs and New York.
Davis earned her bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina and her law degree from Stetson University College of Law.
Springstead will officially step down from the bench on Nov. 30. He was re-elected without opposition to a six-year term in 2008.