Two new judges, including one local resident, will be on the bench in the new year in our circuit – but neither will preside in the courthouse in Vero Beach.
Steven Wilson of the Rossway Swan Tierney Barry and Oliver firm on Miracle Mile is the third
Vero resident appointed to fill one of five openings in the 19th Judicial Circuit this year. A former prosecutor in Vero, Wilson joins recently appointed Vero residents Judge Michael Porter and Judge Robert Stone Jr. on the bench.
Wilson, 39, a graduate of Indian River State College, Harding University in Arkansas and Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in Alabama, fills the seat vacated by Judge Lawrence Mirman. Wilson was an assistant state attorney for 11 years, starting out on misdemeanor cases, moving up to the felony division and serving three years as misdemeanor supervisor for Indian River County.
“During this time, I was responsible for training and advising new attorneys, as well as maintaining my own caseload and handling all post-conviction litigation,” Wilson said in his application to the governor’s 19th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.
Prior to working for the state attorney, Wilson was a law clerk with a personal injury and mass torts law firm in Montgomery, Ala., and a research assistant for one of his law school professors.
In his guardianship practice at Rossway Swan, he’s handled mental health, elder law and probate matters in 13 Florida counties. He said his typical clients include individuals seeking assistance in establishing a guardianship for a spouse, relative or close friend, or individuals who are contesting or disputing a guardianship.
“I also provide representation for clients who are involved in Baker or Marchman acts, either as a petitioner or simply as a concerned family member who needs counsel on what to expect,” Wilson said.
Since going into private practice, his court appearances have declined significantly, but including his time as a prosecutor he tried 49 jury cases, 75 to 100 non-jury cases and one appellate case to completion.
Before the flurry of openings in 2025, Wilson previously submitted an application to the judicial nominating commission in April 2024, but was not certified to the governor’s office for the final round.
Wilson’s wife of 18 years Ashley works part-time at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and as a substitute teacher at Imagine South Vero, where she is PTA vice president. They have two school-age children.
Wilson lived in Vero as a child, then again for 14 years after being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2010.
“After completing my law school education, I moved back to Vero Beach to begin my professional career in public service, seeking to protect and enhance the community that has provided so much to me. It was an honor for me to participate for many years with local law enforcement in the pursuit of justice as an assistant state attorney,” Wilson said in applying for the judgeship.
Wilson is a volunteer coach with Indian River Soccer Academy and Indian River County Recreation Department, an agency his father ran when Wilson was a kid.
“As our cities and towns grow and develop, there are fundamental values and needs that were critical when I was growing up and are just as critical to our community today. The 19th Circuit needs judges who are grounded in the law and who will apply the law fairly and equitably in each case,” Wilson said in his application.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Porter filled the seat vacated by Vero resident Judge Janet Croom, who resigned in the spring to spend more time with family.
Local criminal defense attorney Stone filled the seat vacated by Judge Brett Waronicki after Waronicki’s arrest on DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia charges in May. Waronicki handled St. Lucie County civil jury trials, drug court and protection orders. Stone Jr., a graduate of St. Edward’s Upper School and Barry University School of Law, is the brother of Judge Robyn Stone and the son of former longtime state attorney Bob Stone.
Like Stone and Porter, Wilson will be hearing cases at the St. Lucie County Courthouse.
