---
title: "Scott Brownell | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/scott-brownell-6840"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Scott Brownell

District Court of Appeal of Florida · Judge

## Profile

- Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1986-present
- Partner at Brownell & Farrance, P.A. (1980–1984) and Harllee, Porges, Hamlin & Brownell (1984–1986)
- Private practice lawyer from 1974 until he was elected to the circuit court in 1986
- Scott M. Brownell was a long‐time judge of Florida’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court (covering Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties) and is now retired
- Current status: Retired judge; no longer assigned to the Florida 12th Judicial Circuit Court
- Post‐retirement: held the role of a senior judge for two years and later worked as a mediator through his own firm

### Education

- University of Florida School of Law in — J.D. (1974)
- University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law — J.D. (1974)
- Eckerd College in — B.A. (1971)

### Additional information

- Elected to the bench: September 2, 1986, and served continuously until December 28, 2016.
- 2010 election Brownell ran unopposed and was automatically retained to a new term.
- Re‐elected in 1992, 1998, 2004, and 2010.
- Elected to this court on September 2, 1986, and took office the following January.
- He also taught in the Legal Assistant Program at Manatee Community College from 1978 to 1986.
- Retirement: Brownell retired just before the end of his term, choosing to resign early so Governor Rick Scott could appoint his successor rather than hold an election.
- Focused on commercial and construction litigation.
- Over three decades on the bench, Brownell was recognized for his service to the 12th Judicial Circuit and his contributions to the legal community in Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties.

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/6840/scott-brownell/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6840/scott-brownell/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6840/scott-brownell/)
- [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/6840/scott-brownell/)
- [Scott M. Brownell - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Scott_M._Brownell)

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