Florida Governor Makes Third Supreme Court Pick

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his third and final pick Tuesday to fill openings on the Florida Supreme Court. The governor named U.S. Department of Education General Counsel Carlos G. Muñiz.

"I wanted somebody with a top flight intellect," said DeSantis. "With Carlos, we have found that justice."

Addressing reporters outside the governor's mansion, DeSantis said he interviewed 11 candidates for the job before picking Muñiz, who provides legal and policy advice to the secretary of education and other senior department officials.

Before heading to Washington, D.C., Muñiz served as deputy general counsel to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and as deputy Florida attorney general.

"He has served in a variety of capacities for people like Gov. Jeb Bush, Attorney Gen. Pam Bondi and when you ask them about Carlos, the praise is effusive," DeSantis explained. "I think the people that have worked with him beyond just the attorney general and the former governor, all say that this is a guy who is brilliant but yet humble. Really, I think that's the type of intellectual firepower I want to see on the court."

Muñiz is the last of three appointments by DeSantis to fill openings to the high court caused by mandatory retirements.

DeSantis named Judge Barbara Lagoa of Miami to the Florida Supreme Court one day after being sworn into office and then tapped Judge Robert Luck, also of Miami for his first two picks.

Muñiz is a graduate of the University of Virginia and of Yale Law School. Upon receipt of his Juris Doctor, he clerked for Judge José A. Cabranes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for Judge Thomas A. Flannery of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

"He really understands the separations of powers. He understands the proper role of the court," said DeSantis. "I think that's a very useful perspective to be able to bring to the court, particularly because one of the critiques I've had of the court, is that they have not understood their proper jurisdiction, and they have expanded it beyond where they should."

In addition to his government service, Muñiz has worked at various law firms, including Hogan & Hartson in Washington, D.C., Gray Robinson, P.A., and McGuire Woods. His private practice has involved defending businesses in government investigations, civil litigation, commercial disputes, constitutional and civil rights as well as administrative law.

Gov. Ron DeSantis photo courtesy state of Florida