---
title: "Thomas Sawaya | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-sawaya-7057"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Thomas Sawaya

Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal · Judge

## Profile

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

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Before joining the appellate court, he held the role of a Marion County Judge (1986–1990) and Circuit Judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit (1990–2000), including four years as Presiding Judge of the appellate division Fifth District Court of Appeal
- His earlier career included work as an Assistant State Attorney (1985–1986) and a general law practice in Ocala (1978–1986)
- As of now, Judge Sawaya is listed as a Senior Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal

### Education

- Stetson University College of Law in — J.D. (1977)

### Additional information

- Thomas Daniel Sawaya joined the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal in February 2000 by Governor Jeb Bush and served until his retirement in 2018.
- Chief Judge of the Fifth DCA from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2005.
- Practitioner, 1999-1999
- He received the Erskine Mayo Ross Award from the American Bar Association Journal, the 1993 Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, and the 1997 Distinguished Graduate Award from the National Catholic Educational Association Sawaya was active in judicial education, serving on multiple Florida Courts committees, and was a founding member and past president of the D.R. Smith Inn of Court in Ocala

## 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/7057/thomas-sawaya/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7057/thomas-sawaya/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7057/thomas-sawaya/)
- [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/7057/thomas-sawaya/)
- [Judge Thomas D. Sawaya / Senior Judges / Judges - - Fifth District Court of Appeal](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Senior-Judges/Judge-Thomas-D.-Sawaya#:~:text=Elected%20as%20a%20Marion%20County,of%20Appeal%20in%20February%202000.)
- [Thomas Sawaya - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Sawaya)
- [Senior Judges](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Senior-Judges)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7057/thomas-sawaya/)
- [Judge Thomas D. Sawaya / Senior Judges / Judges - - Fifth District Court of Appeal](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Senior-Judges/Judge-Thomas-D.-Sawaya#:~:text=Elected%20as%20a%20Marion%20County,of%20Appeal%20in%20February%202000.)
- [Thomas Sawaya - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Sawaya)

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