--- title: "J. Andrew Atkinson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-andrew-atkinson" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-09-28" --- # J. Andrew Atkinson Florida Second District Court of Appeal ยท District Court of Appeal Judge ## Profile - Court: Florida Second District Court of Appeal - State: Florida - Role: District Court of Appeal Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Florida Second District Court of Appeal, appointed by Governor Rick Scott in 2018 (assumed office January 19, 2018 per compiled court table) - Joined the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal in 2018 by Governor Rick Scott, filling the vacancy left by Judge Douglas A. Wallace - Law clerk to Judge Melanie G. May, Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal - Began his legal career at the Florida Office of the Attorney General, working in the Criminal Appeals Division and later serving as a Deputy Solicitor General - He also practiced privately at the statewide law firm Broad and Cassel and served as General Counsel for the Florida Department of State and the Florida Department of Management Services - His career reflects extensive experience in both public service and private legal practice, combining appellate law, government counsel, and military service - He clerked for the Honorable Melanie G. May of the Fourth District Court of Appeal and subsequently held the role of Assistant General Counsel to the Governor - Judge Atkinson resides in Tampa, Florida, and is a veteran of the United States Army ### Education - Bachelor's โ€” Florida State University - Florida State University โ€” B.A. - a Juris Doctor with honors from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law ### Additional information - Term ends January 5, 2027; on the November 3, 2026 retention ballot. - Enlisted, U.S. Army, 1997-2001; 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; honorably completed service as E-5 sergeant. - While attending law school, Atkinson enlisted in the United States Army in 1997. - Private practice, Broad and Cassel. - Served in the First Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, completing rigorous training programs including Army Airborne School, the Ranger Indoctrination Program, and Ranger School. - His roles included rifleman, grenadier, radio operator, automatic rifleman, machine gunner, and infantry fire team leader - Andrew "Drew" Atkinson was born in Gainesville, Florida, and raised in Bradenton, where he graduated from Manatee High School. - Birth place: Gainesville, Florida ## 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://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/judge-j.-andrew-atkinson) - [Official roster](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/judge-j.-andrew-atkinson) - [Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/judge-j.-andrew-atkinson) - [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) - [J. Andrew "Drew" Atkinson biography](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.hillsbar.com/resource/resmgr/docs/judge_atkinson_bio.pdf) - [J. Andrew Atkinson](https://ballotpedia.org/J._Andrew_Atkinson) - [Judge J. Andrew Atkinson](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Judge-J.-Andrew-Atkinson) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-andrew-atkinson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-andrew-atkinson", "name": "J. Andrew Atkinson | KnowJudges", "description": "J. Andrew Atkinson, Florida Second District Court of Appeal. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-09-28", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-andrew-atkinson#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-andrew-atkinson#judge", "name": "J. Andrew Atkinson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-andrew-atkinson", "jobTitle": "District Court of Appeal Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Florida Second District Court of Appeal" }, "sameAs": [ "https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/judge-j.-andrew-atkinson" ], "birthPlace": "Gainesville, Florida", "alumniOf": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Florida State University" }, { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Nova Southeastern University" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Florida", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/florida" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "J. 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