Elevations, resignations and the death of Palm Beach Circuit Judge Meenu Sasser have led to a reshuffling of the South Florida judiciary.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has elevated Palm Beach County Court Judge Caroline Shepherd to the circuit bench, where she'll replace retired Judge Jeffrey Colbath. Before taking her post in 2009, Shepard was an Assistant Palm Beach State Attorney. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and a law degree from New England Law.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Renatha Francis will move to Palm Beach Circuit bench, filling Sasser's former post. Francis rose to the bench in 2017 and previously worked as an attorney at Shutts & Bowen. She obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of The West Indies and a law degree from Florida Coastal Law School.

Resignations from Miami-Dade Circuit Judge John Thornton Jr. and Miami-Dade County Court Judge Samuel Slom mean the court is looking for two replacements.

Thornton is set to step down in January, when he'll go to Miami mediation firm JAMS. His career began in 1977, when he served as an assistant state attorney and later helped found Miami firm Thornton & Rothman. Then-Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Thornton to the bench in 2007. Slom joined the county court bench in 1996 and began his career in 1987 as an assistant state attorney.

Miami-Dade County Court Judges William Altfield, Gina Beovides and Laura Shearon Cruz have all been elevated to the circuit bench, leaving vacancies in their wake.

The Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications until Oct. 15.