STUART — With her left hand on a Bible and her right hand proudly raised, Katherine Donaldson Mish on Friday recited the oath that sealed her position as a circuit judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit.
Mish, 37, of Fort Pierce, was sworn in during an investiture ceremony at the Martin County Courthouse surrounded by family members, legal colleagues, elected officials and judicial peers who warmly welcomed her to the bench.
“Standing before you as a circuit judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit is an extraordinary honor. I am deeply grateful to the Judicial Nominating Commission for their confidence and to the governor for this appointment,” Mish said. “When people ask me how I feel about becoming a circuit judge, the truth is simple: I am humbled, honored and profoundly thankful.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Dec. 22 tapped Mish to fill a new circuit judgeship created last year by the Florida Legislature for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties.
On the same day, Vero Beach attorney Steven R. Wilson was selected by DeSantis to replace Circuit Judge Lawrence Mirman, who retired in December. Circuit judges preside over probate and civil litigation, felony cases and family law, such as dependency, divorce and juvenile hearings.
In January, Mish was assigned to St. Lucie County and handles juvenile dependency and delinquency cases, and she oversees Mental Health Court among other duties. Her term runs through next year and she will have to stand for election in 2028.
Mish had worked as a civil litigator with Stuart attorney Shaun Plymale for Treasure Coast Legal, since 2015. Previously, she worked as an associate attorney in Jacksonville.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University, and her juris doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law, a private school in Jacksonville that closed in 2021.
Mish was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014.
While in college, Mish also worked as a legislative intern in Tallahassee for Treasure Coast Republicans William Snyder and state Rep. Debbie Mayfield, who were both serving in the Florida House of Representatives at the time.
On Friday as Mish’s family looked on — including her father, Martin County Administrator Don Donaldson, her mother Barbara, husband Tony Mish and their 5-year-old son Mason — she was given a Bible, a gavel and an engraved plaque by her peers.
Tony Mish, a financial consultant she married in 2015, helped his wife into a new black robe moments after Chief Circuit Judge Charles “Tony” Schwab administered the oath of office. The room cheered as she joined a seated group of about two dozen county, state and federal judges.
“Since taking the bench, she’s demonstrated the qualities we hope for in every single judge: careful listening, thoughtful preparation and recognition that every case involves real people in real situations,” Schwab told the crowd. “Today, we celebrate not only her achievement, but that journey that made it possible for her to be here. So, on behalf of your fellow judges, Judge Mish, welcome.”
Don Donaldson beamed as he touted his daughter’s accomplishments since childhood.
“It’s certainly a proud dad moment for me to be here to recognize my daughter and her achievements,” he said. “It’s really humbling to have so many of our constitutional officers, elected officials and community leaders and family here today.”
Donaldson described Mish as a “super smart” child who always excelled at school while growing up in Vero Beach.
“She was one of those children that would have their homework done before you even got to pick them up in school, and it’s already done,” he said to laughter.
She also showed an interest in community service early on, Donaldson said, and demonstrated leadership skills as a Girls Scout, the captain of her swim team and was a horn player in the school band.
And when the time came, he said Mish’s drive to succeed set her apart as she applied five times to be considered by the governor for a circuit judge post.
“She doesn’t give up easily, and her persistence is noteworthy. And of course, getting nominated to even be presented to the governor is just part of it,” Donaldson said. ‘Getting the attention of our governor today, you know, it’s not an easy task. And through her persistence as well, I think he recognized at some point, she’s not going away, and we’re so proud that she got it.”
Shaun Plymale, who hired Mish in 2015, said he always knew one day she’d become a judge, because she told him that’s what she wanted.
“There was no question in my mind that she would be a judge. I thought it was a little early, but I knew that she would be a judge,” Plymale said. “And more importantly, I knew she would be a good one because of all the things that she had shown me, and because every day when I was in the office, she judged me every single day.”
The crowd cracked up.
Mish said her vow to Treasure Coast residents as a circuit judge is to “fairly, consistently, and impartially apply the law as it is written.”
“I promise to give everyone who comes before me their day in court. And I promise to ensure that every person understands not only what my ruling is, but why I made it,” Mish said. “It is the honor of my life to serve this community, and I will work every day to uphold the responsibility that comes with this role.”
DeSantis in the coming months is expected to appoint two more judges in the 19th Judicial Circuit to replace Circuit Judge William Roby and Martin County Judge Kathleen H. Roberts, who intend to retire in December, according to court officials.
(This story was updated with a photo gallery.)
Melissa E. Holsman is a freelance reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New Florida circuit judge welcomed by peers during swearing in ceremony
Reporting by Melissa E. Holsman, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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