The Honorable: Tonya Rainwater
EDUCATION:
- Florida Institute of Technology – M.B.A. 1988
- University of Florida, College of Law, J.D., 1978
- Florida State University – B.S., 1976
- Melbourne High School, 1974
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:
- Admitted to the Florida Bar 1979
- Assistant State Attorney, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, 1979 – 1980
- Private Practice, 1981 – 1986
- Adjunct Professor, Florida institute of Technology, 1985 – 1986
- Associate Judge, Fifth District Court of Appeal, 1995, 2007
JUDICIAL CAREER:
- Elected County Court Judge, 1986
- Elected Circuit Judge, 1990 (subsequently reelected without opposition)
- Since being elected, Judge Rainwater has presided over tens of thousands of cases in every division of the court.
JUDICIAL LEADERSHIP ROLES:
- Chief Judge, 18th Judicial Circuit, 2006-2007
- Chief Administrative Judge, Brevard County/Acting Chief Judge, 2007-2008
- Administrative Judge, Appeals Division, 2007 – present
- Administrative Judge, Criminal Division, 1998 – 1999, 2005 – 2006
- Administrative Judge, Family Division, 2001 – 2005
- Jury Management Judge, 1996 -1998, 1999 – 2000
- Chief Administrative County Judge, 1988 – 1990
- Director, Conference County Judges, 1989
- Drug Court Judge, 1997 to 1999, 2005 – 2007
- Judicial Liaison Committee
- Court Technology Committee
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
- Melbourne High School Hall of Fame, inducted 2007
- Woman of Distinction in Education and Government, Girl Scouts of America Citrus Council, 2001
- Woman of Achievement Award, March of Dimes, 2000
- Judicial Distinguished Service Award, Florida Council on Crime & Delinquency, 1999
- Rainwater Center for Girls at Crosswinds Youth Services (a day program and accredited school for at-risk girls ages 12 through 18) is dedicated in honor of Judge Rainwater, 1996
- Who’s Who in American Law
ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS:
- Brevard County Bar Association, 1979 to present
- Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity, 2006 to present
- Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Rules
- Justice Teaching Program, Volunteer, 2006 – present
- Florida State University, Garnet and Gold Key Society
- Moot Court, University of Florida, College of Law
- Student Honor Court, University of Florida
- Young Lawyer’s Section Board of Governors, 1982 -1984
- Rainwater Center for Girls, Advisory Committee Member
- Moot Court Brevard County High Schools, Volunteer Judge
- Mental Health Association of Brevard County, Past President
- American Association of University Women, Member
- Junior League of South Brevard, Past Member
- Suntree United Methodist Church, Member