---
title: "James Shenko | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-shenko"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# James Shenko

Florida Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Florida
- Role: Circuit 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://www.ca.cjis20.org/About-The-Court/judiciary.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://www.ca.cjis20.org/About-The-Court/judiciary.aspx)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.ca.cjis20.org/About-The-Court/judiciary.aspx)
- [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

- Judge James R. Shenko joined the 20th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida by Governor Charlie Crist on April 16, 2008, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge William McIver
- Prior to his judicial appointment, Shenko practiced law as a partner at Napier & Shenko and later as a sole practitioner.

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law

### Additional information

- He was subsequently retained in the 2010 election for a six-year term that concluded in 2017, running unopposed.
- Judge Shenko has presided over cases in civil, guardianship, and probate divisions, with assignments in both Collier and Lee Counties.
- Judge Shenko has no criminal reversal rate on record, and civil and criminal rates are reported separately.
- Discovery motions: Motions requiring more than 10 minutes are referred to the Civil Magistrate, and exceptions to magistrate orders are reviewed by Judge Shenko after submission of a cover letter and supporting documents
- His official court profile does not include a detailed biography, but procedural and division-specific information is publicly available through the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida Judge Shenko’s experience and procedural requirements make him a well-established figure in the Lee and Collier County legal community, particularly for civil and probate matters
- He handles a variety of civil matters, including post-judgment residential, commercial, and lien foreclosure motions, as well as discovery motions, motions to compel, objections, claims of exemption, and motions to dismiss.
- He also works with Civil Magistrates for certain discovery motions requiring more than 10 minutes



## 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.
