Judge Denise R. Ferrero: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Florida Bar #: 971944 (April 23, 1993)

Biography

The Hon. Denise R. Ferrero is a judge for the 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. She was elected to the bench in 2018, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Toby S. Monaco.

The 8th Judicial Circuit encompasses Alachua County, Baker County, Bradford County, Gilchrist County, Levy County, and Union County.

Prior to her election, Ferrero was a judge for the Alachua County Court, a position to which she was named in 2009.

She graduated with her B.A. in political science from Vanderbilt University in 1989. She went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, in 1992. As a law student, Ferrero clerked at Conrad, Scherer, James & Jenne (1991 to 1992) and interned at the Office of the State Attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit (1992).

Shortly after graduating from law school, Ferrero began her legal career as an assistant state attorney in the Office of the State Attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit. She served in that capacity until 2001, rising through the ranks to become Chief of the Crimes Against Women and Families Division.

Then, in 2002, Ferrero entered into private practice. She started as an attorney at Avera & Avera, handling criminal defense, administrative law, and civil litigation matters. Ferrero supplemented her practice with service as a civil traffic hearing officer with the 8th Judicial Circuit Court (2005 to 2008).

Her memberships have included the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, the James C. Adkins, Jr. American Inn of Court, and the Clara Gehan Association of Women Lawyers.

When not presiding over legal proceedings, Ferrero enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Recent Cases by Hon. Denise R. Ferrero

RE: MARRIAGE OF: MADRIGAL, SALVADOR RIOS AND VIGUERS RIOS, LESLIE MICHELLE

On June 25, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Jun 25, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

HOLMES, MICHAEL LAMAR -VS- SMALL, JAIMEIKA FAE

On June 25, 2020 a visitation case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Jun 25, 2020

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

VISITATION

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2025

RE: MARRIAGE OF: ARNETT, DAVID AND ARNETT, MALEISHIA

On June 19, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Jun 19, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: WATTS, JAMES CARLTON AND MCFADDEN-WATTS, CHERYL LYNN

On June 8, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Jun 08, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 26, 2022

IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF: SHIRVANI, ARSALAN THOMAS NEW NAME HESHMAT, ARSALAN

On June 8, 2020 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Jun 08, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

FONACIER, TEIDRA DENISE et al -VS- WILLIAMS, TIFFANY DENISE et al

On June 8, 2020 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Jun 08, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2021

IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF: HERRING, PAUL WILLIAM NEW NAME HERRING, PAULA HELEN

On May 29, 2020 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

May 29, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF: GRIMES, ERIC DEOWN NEW NAME GRIMES, ERIC DAWN

On May 28, 2020 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

May 28, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: MARVIN, JOHN CALVIN AND MARVIN, JENNIFER WHEELER

On May 11, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

May 11, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: SMITH, ANTONIO R AND MITCHUM-SMITH, RONISHA L

On May 11, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

May 11, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 26, 2022

RE: MARRIAGE OF: JONES SR, DAVID TYRELL AND JONES, SHAMELLA CHANKEYCIA

On April 27, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Apr 27, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF: MURRAY, REBECCA WAKEMAN NEW NAME WAKEMAN, REBECCA ANN

On April 22, 2020 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Apr 22, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: ROBIE JR, RICKY A AND ROBIE, CORI A

On April 22, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Apr 22, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 06, 2025

RE: MARRIAGE OF: ISENHOWARD, JAMES H AND ISENHOWARD, JENNIFER F

On April 21, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Apr 21, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: WORTHINGTON, ERIC J AND WORTHINGTON, SALITA C

On April 16, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Apr 16, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 26, 2022

RE: MARRIAGE OF: FERENCE, JOSEPH LEE AND FERENCE, SHEA LEANNE

On April 15, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Apr 15, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: SALAMONE, CHRISTOPHER J AND SALAMONE, JADE M

On April 14, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Apr 14, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

01 2020 DR 000928 - NEW DISSOLUTIONS - DIV DR3 (JUDGE WILSON BULLARD)RE: MARRIAGE OF: BUTLER, CRAIG AND BUTLER, FELICIA

On March 30, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Mar 30, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Alachua County

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: LAW JR, DONNIE A AND LAW, KENDRA HILL

On March 27, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Mar 27, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

RE: MARRIAGE OF: SOUTHERLAND, WILLIAM A AND SOUTHERLAND, BEVERLY R

On March 26, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Mar 26, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 26, 2022

01 2020 DR 000817 - NEW DISSOLUTIONS - DIV DR4 (JUDGE WRIGHT)RE: MARRIAGE OF: WILLIAMS JR, EARICK AND CHRISTOPHER, TRESHA

On March 17, 2020 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Mar 17, 2020

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Alachua County

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF: MAYA-ALTSHULER, ELLERY SAUL NEW NAME ALTSHULER, ELLERY

On March 13, 2020 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Mar 13, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

01 2020 DR 000716 - NAME CHANGE - DIV DR4 (JUDGE WRIGHT)IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF: HIPPCHEN, LAURA NAVIA NEW NAME NAVIA, LAURA ESTEFANIA

On March 6, 2020 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Mar 06, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Alachua County

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2021

IN RE: THE NAME CHANGE OF: NGUYEN, ANH THU NEW NAME NGUYEN, SOPHIE THU

On March 5, 2020 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Alachua County. Judge Denise R. Ferrero presiding.

Filed

Mar 05, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Denise R. Ferrero 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Denise R. Ferrero

Court

Circuit

County

Alachua County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2021

Discover if Hon. Ferrero is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

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About

Denise R. Ferrero
Current Appointment 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida	8th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Election/Appointment 2018 - 8th Judicial Circuit Court	2018 - 8th Judicial Circuit Court
Previous Appointment Alachua County Court	Alachua County Court
Education B.A., Vanderbilt University - 1989 J.D., University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law - 1992	B.A., Vanderbilt University - 1989 J.D., University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law - 1992
Official Website circuit8.org	circuit8.org

Documents related to Denise R. Ferrero

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	FL - 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Previous Court:	FL - Alachua County Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (352) 548-3700

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	8th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida	None
Judge	Alachua County Court	Alachua County, Florida
Civil Traffic Hearing Officer	8th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida	None
Attorney	Avera and Avera LLP	Alachua County, Florida
Division Chief	Office of the State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit	Alachua County, Florida
Assistant State Attorney	Office of the State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit	Alachua County, Florida