You’ve probably seen the name Jean Marie Middleton popping up on sample ballots or local news feeds lately, especially if you live in South Florida. People get confused. Is she a sitting judge? Was she a judge? Honestly, the legal world is full of titles that sound identical but mean totally different things.
Jean Marie Middleton is a heavy hitter in the Palm Beach County legal scene, but there’s a specific reason her name was everywhere in late 2024. She ran a high-profile campaign for the Palm Beach County Court Group 2 seat. It was a localized race that ended up being a real "clash of the titans" between two experienced legal minds.
The Background You Might Not Know
Middleton isn’t some newcomer. Far from it. She graduated from the Howard University School of Law back in 1986. That's nearly four decades of navigating the meat grinder of the American legal system.
Before she even thought about the bench, she spent years as a Senior Attorney for the School District of Palm Beach County. She didn't just push papers. She handled labor and employment litigation. Basically, if there was a high-stakes dispute involving teachers, staff, or district policy, she was often the one in the room making the tough calls.
Her resume is actually pretty wild. She’s worked as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami and even did a stint in Indiana. She’s admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Think about that for a second. Most lawyers never even see the outside of that building, let alone get the credentials to argue inside it.
📖 Related: The Galveston Hurricane 1900 Orphanage Story Is More Tragic Than You Realized
What Actually Happened in the Election?
The 2024 race for Jean Marie Middleton county court judge candidate was intense. She went up against Lourdes Casanova. If you followed the primary in August 2024, it was a three-way split with Douglas Leifert. Middleton actually pulled a solid 33.86% of the vote then, which was enough to kick the race into a runoff for the November general election.
November 5, 2024, was the big day. The results were close, but in the end, Lourdes Casanova took the seat with about 56% of the vote. Middleton finished with roughly 43.7%.
- Candidate: Jean Marie Middleton
- Total Votes: 264,255
- Final Percentage: 43.7%
Even though she didn't win the seat, the sheer number of people—over a quarter-million—who put a checkmark next to her name says a lot about her standing in the community. You don't get that kind of support without a serious reputation.
Why People Keep Searching for "Judge" Middleton
Here is where the confusion kicks in. Sometimes people call long-time legal fixtures "Judge" out of habit or because they serve in quasi-judicial roles. Middleton has served on the Florida Bar’s Education Law Committee and has been a leader in various bar associations.
👉 See also: Why the Air France Crash Toronto Miracle Still Changes How We Fly
In legal circles, she’s a mentor. She writes profiles for other judges (like her 2018 piece on Judge Carolyn Bell). When you spend that much time in the courthouse, the title sort of starts to stick in the public consciousness, even if the election results didn't go her way this time around.
She’s also been a "General Counsel" figure. That’s a role that requires a "judge-like" temperament because you’re constantly weighing facts against policy.
The Legal Philosophy
Middleton has always leaned heavily into "experience and dedication." During her campaign, she talked a lot about fairness and the idea that the county court is the "people's court." It’s where most regular folks actually interact with the law—traffic tickets, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes.
She focused on the idea that a judge shouldn't just know the law but should understand the people standing in front of them. Her decades in public service with the school district gave her a front-row seat to the struggles of everyday families.
✨ Don't miss: Robert Hanssen: What Most People Get Wrong About the FBI's Most Damaging Spy
What’s Next for Her?
As of early 2026, Jean Marie Middleton remains a formidable force in Palm Beach County law. She continues her work with the School District and remains an active member of the Florida Bar. Her term on the Education Law Committee actually runs through June 30, 2027.
Will she run again? It’s hard to say. The legal community is small, and someone with her track record usually doesn't stay away from the spotlight for long. For now, she’s back to the grind, representing the school district and mentoring the next generation of attorneys.
Key Takeaways for Voters
If you're researching judicial candidates or trying to understand the current makeup of the Palm Beach County court, remember:
- Check the Group Number: Judicial seats are often listed by "Group." Middleton ran for Group 2.
- Verify Incumbency: Not every name on the ballot is a current judge. Many, like Middleton in 2024, are experienced challengers.
- Look at the Bar Profile: The Florida Bar website is the "source of truth" for an attorney's discipline history and current standing. Middleton has a clean 10-year record, which is no small feat in this industry.
If you are looking for information on current proceedings in Group 2, you should be looking for the office of Judge Lourdes Casanova. However, if you are looking for a legal expert with a deep history in Florida education and labor law, Jean Marie Middleton is still one of the most prominent names you'll find.