John Brown at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John Brown
Circuit Judge · Florida First Judicial Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- John W. Brown held the role of Chief Judge of the 1st Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia in Chesapeake from 2021 to 2022 and was a judge on the same court from 2008 to 2021
- He also held the role of Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Chesapeake and held positions such as Commissioner in Chancery for Divorce and Equity Matters and Commissioner of Accounts for the Chesapeake Circuit Court
- Also a Certified Mediator with the Supreme Court of Virginia, reflecting his experience in alternative dispute resolution
Education
- His educational background includes a Master of Law and Taxation from William & Mary Law School and a B.A., cum laude, from Methodist University
Additional information
- Beyond the bench, Judge Brown has been active in professional and community organizations.
- Past president of the Chesapeake Bar Association and the Chesapeake Rotary Club, and has served on boards including TowneBank, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
- handling personal injury, family, and commercial matters.
- Judge Brown’s expertise spans a wide range of areas, including medical malpractice, personal injury, premises liability, civil rights, construction, defamation, insurance coverage, local government, professional liability, trusts and estates, and family law, covering child and spousal support, custody, visitation, and equitable distribution.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media And Still Photography
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.
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 allowedFlorida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Florida First Judicial Circuit Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster ↗Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗