Today is May 5, 2026, and there’s a buzz in the air here in Stuart, Florida. Just a couple of days ago, Katherine Donaldson Mish took the oath of office as a new circuit judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit. The investiture ceremony, held at the Martin County Courthouse, was a heartwarming affair, drawing in family, friends, and legal colleagues to witness this significant milestone in her career.
At just 37 years old, Mish, a Fort Pierce native, has already made quite a name for herself in the legal community. Surrounded by her family, including her father, Martin County Administrator Don Donaldson, and her husband, Tony Mish, she expressed her deep gratitude to the Judicial Nominating Commission and Governor Ron DeSantis for her recent appointment. It’s not every day that someone gets to step into such a pivotal role! Governor DeSantis appointed her on December 22, 2025, to fill a judgeship created following the Florida Legislature’s decision to increase judicial seats due to population growth and rising caseloads.
A Look at Her Career
Before stepping into her new role, Mish was a civil litigator since 2015, working primarily at Treasure Coast Legal in Stuart, where she focused on family law, probate, and even bankruptcy cases. She kicked off her legal career as an associate attorney at Cleaveland and Cleaveland in Jacksonville. This is a woman who knows her way around the courtroom! Mish holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law. And let’s not forget, she was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014. Talk about dedication!
During her first few months on the bench, Mish has been assigned to St. Lucie County, where she’s focusing on juvenile dependency and delinquency cases, as well as overseeing the Mental Health Court. It’s a challenging role, but she seems more than up to it. At the ceremony, she received a Bible, a gavel, and an engraved plaque—symbols of her new responsibilities. With a term that lasts until next year and an election set for 2028, the community is eager to see how she will shape her judgeship.
Community Support and Future Prospects
Support from her community was palpable during the ceremony. Chief Circuit Judge Charles “Tony” Schwab praised her qualities, and Don Donaldson highlighted her determination and achievements on the path to becoming a judge. Shaun Plymale, who hired her, expressed confidence in her potential as a judge. It’s clear that the community believes in her. Mish has vowed to apply the law fairly and ensure transparency in her rulings, which is paramount in building public trust.
Interestingly, on the same day of Mish’s appointment, Governor DeSantis also appointed Steven R. Wilson to fill the seat of retired Circuit Judge Lawrence Mirman. This ongoing reshaping of the 19th Judicial Circuit is noteworthy as it covers Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. And with reports that DeSantis is expected to appoint two more judges due to upcoming retirements, the legal landscape here is certainly evolving.
As we celebrate Katherine Mish’s new chapter, there’s a sense of optimism in the air. Her commitment to serving the local community is commendable, and we can’t wait to see how she navigates the complexities of her new role. This is just the beginning for her, and we’re all rooting for her success!
For more details on this story, you can check out the full article here.
And if you’re curious about the background of these judicial changes, feel free to dive into more information here.