Business Courts Task Force (inactive)

This task force was disbanded June 2025.

The Business Courts Task Force was formed in 2018 to evaluate the need for a statewide business court system.  If the Task Force determines that there is such a need, it then plans to design and provide a draft structure for such courts.  It would also then focus on identifying and securing appropriate resources, support and funding to implement such a system.  Co-Chairs Judge Gill Freeman (Ret.) and Jon Polenberg welcome your input.  Stay tuned for developments.

Our committee made the Florida Bar News

Legislative Subcommittee

Judge LaRose	larosee@flcourts.org
Melanie Damian	mdamian@dvllp.com
Patricia McConnell	pmcconnell@lseblaw.com
Chris DeCort	cdecort@jclaw.com
Michael Higer	MHiger@bergersingerman.com

Funding Subcommittee

Judge Steinbeck	msteinbeck@ca.cjis20.org
Michelle Suarez	msuarez@floridaentrepreneurlaw.com
Melanie Damian	mdamian@dvllp.com
Braxton Gillam	bgillam@milamhoward.com

Policy Subcommittee

Judge Norton	NortonVB@coj.ne
Judge Sasser	MSasser@pbcgov.org
Michelle Suarez	msuarez@floridaentrepreneurlaw.com
Carrie Ann Wozniak	bgillam@milamhoward.com
Doug Bates	dbates@clarkpartington.com

Logistics and Operations Subcommittee

Judge Lauten	ctjufl1@ocnjcc.org
Judge Myers	ctjudm1@ocnjcc.org
Judge Bailey	JBailey@jud11.flcourts.org
Rick Gross	mgross@carltonfields.com
John Emmanuel	john.emmanuel@bipc.com