Judge Jessica J. Recksiedler: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Jessica J. Recksiedler is a judge for the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. She was elected to the bench on November 2, 2010, and re-elected in 2016 and 2022.

The 18th Judicial Circuit includes Brevard and Seminole Counties. Recksiedler has presided over the Felony Criminal, Civil, and Family Divisions, the Seminole County Adult Drug Court (2012), and the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal (2012). She has also held assignments as the Chief Judge for the 18th Judicial Circuit (2021), and she served as an administrative judge for technology (2011), juror management (2017), conflict counsel fee review (2019 to 2021), public safety council (2018 to 2021), and security committee (2019 to 2021).

Recksiedler earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida State University in 1994. She then completed a J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1997.

She is admitted to practice in Florida (1997) and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1998). She is also certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar (2007).

After graduating from law school, Recksiedler began her legal career as an assistant state attorney with the Office of the State Attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit in Orlando. She served in that capacity until 1998, at which time she entered into private practice at Killgore, Pearlman, Stamp, Ornstein & Squires. During her tenure there, she specialized in construction, probate, commercial, and insurance litigation.

Then, in 2000, Recksiedler transferred to Thompson, Recksiedler & Evangelo (formerly Thompson & Associates) in Altamonte Springs. She spent the next ten years handling commercial, construction, insurance defense, personal injury, probate, and criminal defense matters for the firm, rising through the ranks to become a named partner in 2005.

Her memberships have included the Florida Bar Association, the Seminole County Bar Association, the Seminole County Association of Women Lawyers, and the Brevard County Bar Association. She has also been involved with the Brevard County Civilian Military Council (45th Space Wing), the Volie A. Williams American Inn of Court, and the Lake Mary Rotary Club.

Recksiedler was named Jurist of the Year by the Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers (2021), and she is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Council on Crime & Delinquency (2020).

When not presiding over legal proceedings, Recksiedler is actively involved with the Annunciation Church, where she serves as a FOCCUS couple counselor and a lector.