Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis is excited to announce two new judicial appointments to the First Circuit Court and the Marion County Court.
Clifton Drake, of Crestview, to serve as Judge on the First Circuit Court
As an assistant state attorney since 2010, Drake has been a Felony Special Prosecutor in the First Judicial Circuit for six years and previously served as a Felony Divisions Prosecutor for four years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Drake fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ross Goodman.
Lori Cotton, of Ocala, to serve as Judge on the Marion County Court
Cotton has served as an assistant state attorney in the Fifth Judicial Circuit since 2001. For seven years, she served as Training Director for the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office providing training for the 100+ assistant state attorneys in the circuit while also prosecuting cases. She received her bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University and her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. Cotton fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Sarah Ritterhoff Williams. ###
