President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Four to Serve on the United States District Courts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Judge Beth Bloom, Paul G. Byron, Judge Darrin P. Gayles, and Judge Carlos Eduardo Mendoza to serve on the United States District Courts.

“Throughout their careers, these distinguished men and women have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public service,” said President Obama. “I am confident they will serve the American people with distinction from the District Court bench.”

Judge Beth Bloom:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Judge Beth Bloom has served as a Circuit Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida since 2010.  From 1995 to 2010, she was a County Judge in the same Circuit and served as the Associate Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division in 2010.  From 1988 to 1995, Judge Bloom worked at Floyd Pearson Richman Greer Weil Brumbaugh & Russomanno, P.A., where she handled a broad range of civil litigation.  While in private practice, she also served as a Traffic Magistrate Judge from 1992 to 1993.  Judge Bloom received her J.D. cum laude in 1988 from the University of Miami School of Law, her B.S. in 1984 from the University of Florida, and her A.A. in 1982 from Broward Community College. 

Paul G. Byron:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Paul G. Byron is a partner at Overchuck & Byron, P.A., where his practice focuses on civil litigation in state and federal court.  Before joining the firm, Byron worked in the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section of the United States Department of Justice from 2004 to 2005; was a partner at the law firm of NeJame, LaFay, Barker, Byron, P.A. from 2003 to 2004; and served as a Senior Trial Attorney on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia from 2001 to 2003.  From 1991 to 2001, Byron served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida.  He began his legal career by serving as a Judge Advocate in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Army from 1986 to 1990.  Byron received his J.D. in 1986 from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, his A.B. in 1983 from the University of Michigan, and his A.A. in 1981 from Miami Dade College. 

Judge Darrin P. Gayles:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Judge Darrin P. Gayles has served as a Circuit Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida since 2011.  From 2004 to 2011, he was a County Judge in the same Circuit.  From 1999 to 2004, Judge Gayles served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and from 1997 to 1999, he served as an Assistant District Counsel at the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.  Judge Gayles began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office from 1993 to 1997.  Judge Gayles received his J.D. in 1993 from George Washington University Law School and his B.A. in 1990 from Howard University.  

Judge Carlos Eduardo Mendoza:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Judge Carlos Eduardo Mendoza has served as a Circuit Judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida since 2011.   Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Mendoza served as an Assistant City Attorney for St. Augustine, Florida from 2008 to 2011.  From 2005 to 2008, he was an Assistant State Attorney in the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.  He began his legal career by serving as a Judge Advocate in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Navy from 1997 to 2005.  He earned his J.D. in 1997 from West Virginia University College of Law, his B.A. magna cum laude in 1993 from West Virginia University, and his A.A. in 1991 from Central Florida Community College.  Judge Mendoza enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduating from high school and participated in combat operations during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.