We are proud to announce that on August 19th, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed partner Caitlin Szematowicz’s husband, Brett Szematowicz, to be Judge of the Pinellas County Court. Brett fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Myriam Irizarry and is the Governor’s 100th judicial appointee. On behalf of the firm, we would like to congratulate Brett and Caitlin. We know Brett will make a fine judge.

Brett Szematowicz’s Background

Brett Szematowicz graduated from The American University in Washington, D.C. with a B.A. in Justice. While at American University, he was a member of the highly selective Leadership Program in the top-rated School of Public Affairs. Upon graduation from Law School, he spent four years as a Prosecuting Attorney with the Pinellas County Office of the State Attorney and handled various jury trials from misdemeanor traffic cases to felonies which were punishable by life in prison. As a prosecutor, he served as Lead Trial Attorney in Misdemeanor Division H, North County Traffic attorney, local ordinance violations attorney, misdemeanor and felony domestic violence attorney, a member of the DUI Manslaughter squad and felony child abuse attorney. Brett has handled cases ranging from 1st-degree murder to kidnapping. After leaving the State Attorney’s Office, Brett worked as an associate for a year-and-a-half in the Tampa Bay area, practicing in civil litigation, including insurance defense for sinkhole, water-loss, theft and arson claims. In 2013, he started Greater Tampa Law, PL., along with Jason Bard, to serve the citizens of the Greater Tampa area. For more than seven years, he has represented clients primarily in the areas of criminal defense, family law, and personal injury. Brett has tried cases at Greater Tampa Law, P.L., including 1st-degree murder, DUI, divorce and paternity actions. Brett is on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg. He is the Vice Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee A in Clearwater, Florida. He is also on the Executive Committee of Ducks Unlimited and serves on the Alumni Board of Tampa Preparatory School. He is a Master of Herbert G. Goldberg-Ronald K. Cacciatore Inn of Court and a Barrister of the Barney Masterson American Inn of Court. Caitlin and Brett have been married since 2016. Good luck and congratulations!