M. Kemmerly Thomas at a glance
- Current role
- District Court of Appeal Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
M. Kemmerly Thomas
District Court of Appeal Judge · Florida First District Court of Appeal
Biography
Professional career
- M. Kemmerly Thomas is a judge of the Florida First District Court of Appeal, appointed in 2016 and re‐elected in 2024, with a background in workers’ compensation law and public service
- Before joining the appellate court, Judge Thomas practiced law in Tallahassee, Florida, and Thomasville and Savannah, Georgia from 1991 to 2016.
- Official court page: First District Court of Appeal – Judge M. Kemmerly Thomas First District Court of Appeal
Education
Additional information
- She serves a term that runs through January 7, 2031.
- In the 2024 retention election, she was re‐elected with 65% of the vote
- She is also a certified wildlife, conservation, and land management expert and was inducted into the Florida Workers’ Compensation Institute Hall of Fame in 2017
- Joined the First District Court of Appeal on June 2, 2016 by then‐Governor Rick Scott and took office on June 20, 2016.
- Board‐certified in workers’ compensation and was a frequent speaker at the Florida and Georgia Workers’ Compensation Educational Conferences.
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 District Court of Appeal
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 appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida appellate courts official judge directories 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 ↗