At the end of last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced three judicial appointments: one to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, one to the Hillsborough County Court, and one to the Hernando County Court.
Cynthia Oster, of Tampa, to serve as Judge on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court
Oster has served as a Judge on the Hillsborough County Court since her appointment in 2018. Previously, she served as a Senior County Attorney in the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office for eighteen years. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Stetson University. Oster fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Emmett Battles.
Marc Makholm, of Tampa, to serve as Judge on the Hillsborough County Court
Makholm has served as an Assistant Legal Counsel in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for the past eleven years. Previously, he was the owner of his own law firm, Marc Makholm, P.A. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Stetson University. Makholm fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge James Moody, III.
Barbara-Jo Bell, of Spring Hill, to serve as Judge on the Hernando County Court
Bell has served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Fifth Judicial Circuit for the past year. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Public Defender. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa and her law degree from Stetson University. Bell fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Kristie Healis.
