---
title: "John Jay Gontarek | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-jay-gontarek"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# John Jay Gontarek

Florida First Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida First 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.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/john-jay-gontarek/)
- [Official roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/john-jay-gontarek/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/john-jay-gontarek/)
- [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

- Circuit judge in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers multiple counties in the state

### Education

- B.A. from the University of Florida in 1977 and his J.D. from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law in 1980.

### Additional information

- Unopposed in his 2012 election to the circuit court, with his term beginning in January 2013
- Before becoming a judge, he practiced law as a sole practitioner at The Law Office of John Jay Gontarek, P.A., gaining experience in various areas of law.



## 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.