---
title: "Harvey L. Jay | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/harvey-l-jay"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Harvey L. Jay

Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
- State: Florida
- Role: Chief Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Chief-Judge-Harvey-L.-Jay)
- [Official roster](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Chief-Judge-Harvey-L.-Jay)
- [Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Chief-Judge-Harvey-L.-Jay)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Recommissioned as Chief Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal on January 1, 2023 by Governor Ron DeSantis
- Chief Judge Harvey L. Jay is the presiding judge of Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal, appointed in 2023 after a long career in trial and appellate law in Florida
- 2016–2022: Judge, First District Court of Appeal, appointed by Governor Rick Scott
- 2011–2016: Circuit Judge, Duval County (Fourth Judicial Circuit), serving in family and civil divisions
- Before joining the judiciary, Jay was an equity partner at Saalfield Shad, a Jacksonville law firm, practicing civil trial law for over 20 years.

### Education



### Additional information

- Wrongful death He also represented hospitals, physicians, and nurses in administrative proceedings
- As a trial judge, he handled numerous bench and jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and protective injunction petitions
- He presides over appellate cases in the Fifth District, which covers parts of central and north-central Florida



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f9444c394a89ab9f4ffde994) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.