Paul Bailey at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Paul Bailey
Circuit Judge · Florida First Judicial Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Prior to his judicial appointment, Bailey worked as a shareholder at Welton Law Firm since 2015 and held the role of a law clerk for the Third District Court of Appeal The Florida Bar.
Education
- Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia — J.D.
Additional information
- Walton Beach, Florida, was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the First Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties, beginning his service in 2024.
- This appointment filled the judicial vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Linda Nobles
- As a circuit court judge, Bailey presides over cases including felony criminal matters, civil cases exceeding $50,000, family law, probate, and juvenile cases.
- His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Pensacola Christian College
- Bailey’s appointment was notable because he was selected over ten other applicants, including experienced litigators, public defenders, a state attorney, and a sitting federal immigration judge.
- His appointment to the First Judicial Circuit Court places him in a key role handling significant civil and criminal cases in northwest Florida
- Paul Bailey’s career reflects a combination of private legal practice, appellate clerkship experience, and institutional involvement through the UWF Board of Trustees.
- His ties to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, where he served alongside Zack Smith, the chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission that forwarded his name, were highlighted as influential in his selection.
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 ↗