The Florida Supreme Court unanimously elected Carlos G. Muñiz as Florida’s next Chief Justice on Wednesday.

Muñiz, who was appointed to the court in 2019 by Governor Ron DeSantis, will start his two-year term as chief justice on July 1. Muñiz will succeed Charles T. Canady, who will remain on the court after completing his third term as Chief Justice.

“I’m grateful for the privilege of serving in this capacity, and I join my colleagues in thanking Chief Justice Canady for his outstanding leadership,” Muñiz said. “Our Court’s focus will remain on serving the people of our great state and supporting all the judges and staff who work with us in the judicial branch to administer justice on a daily basis.”

Muñiz, 52, boasts a robust legal career working for some of the top Republicans and law firms in Florida.

After graduating from Yale Law School, Muñiz joined Governor Jeb Bush‘s office as a deputy general counsel. He would continue his career as a top lawyer for the Florida Department of Financial Services before serving as deputy attorney general and chief of staff to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Muñiz also served as general counsel to the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Betsy DeVos,

Florida’s chief justice serves as the administrative officer of the judicial branch and of the Supreme Court. Authority and powers of the chief justice include the responsibility to serve as the primary spokesperson for the judicial branch about policies of statewide import, including the management, operation, legislative agenda and budget priorities of the state’s courts.

“With the commitment of my colleagues on the Supreme Court as well as judges throughout the state, I am proud of our efforts to keep the work of the courts going through this challenging time,” Canady added. “I look forward to my continued service on the Court under the leadership of my friend and colleague Justice Muñiz.”

Muñiz resides in Tallahassee with his wife, Katie Muñiz, and their three children, Robert, William, and Lydia. He grew up in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., where he attended St. James Catholic School and Bishop Ireton High School.