---
title: "Matthew C. Lucas | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-c-lucas"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Matthew C. Lucas

Florida Second District Court of Appeal · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Second District Court of Appeal
- State: Florida
- Role: Chief 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, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2014-present
- As chief judge, he will oversee all administrative matters of the court and serve as the thirty-sixth chief judge since the court’s establishment in 1957
- Judge Lucas has been unanimously elected chief judge of the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, beginning a two-year term on July 1, 2025, succeeding Daniel H. Sleet
- His practice focused on commercial and real estate litigation and appellate work, and he was Board Certified in Business Litigation Law, a certified circuit civil mediator, and an arbitrator in commercial disputes

### Education

- Florida State University — B.A.
- University of Florida — J.D.

### Additional information

- Practitioner, 2013-2013
- Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Judge Lucas enjoys spending time with his family and writing in his free time.

## 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/chief-judge-matthew-c.-lucas)
- [Official roster](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/chief-judge-matthew-c.-lucas)
- [Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/chief-judge-matthew-c.-lucas)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6975/matthew-c-lucas/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6975/matthew-c-lucas/)

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## 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.