New judge joins 7th Judicial Circuit

Historic City News learned that yesterday, Circuit Judge Dawn D. Nichols, the newest jurist in the Seventh Judicial Circuit, was sworn into office at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand by Chief Judge Terence Perkins yesterday; and, she has already started work.

Judge Nichols presides over family law cases at the DeLand courthouse. She was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Hubert L. Grimes.

“I am honored to have been appointed as circuit judge,” Nichols told local news reporters. “Though I know the work will be challenging, I look forward to this opportunity to serve the citizens of the Seventh Judicial Circuit.”

Judge Nichols is an Orlando native and has been an attorney since 1991. She graduated from Edgewater High School in Orlando and earned both a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor from the University of Florida.

She began her law career with the Public Defender’s Office in the 7th Judicial Circuit. She then went into private practice, working for two years with Rice & Rose, P.A. and then established her own private practice in 1996. She is board certified in Marital and Family Law.

Circuit Judge James R. Clayton held the Bible during the oath, making the appointment official, however, formal investiture for Judge Nichols will be held 3:00 p.m. on March 28 at the Museum of Arts & Sciences, Daytona Beach.

Photo credits: © 2014 Historic City News contributed photograph by Ludmilla Lelis