Judge Lori A. Winstead: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Lori A. Winstead is a judge for the 10th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Steven L. Selph.

The 10th Judicial Circuit encompasses Hardee County, Highlands County, and Polk County. Winstead has held assignments in Polk County, presiding over cases in the Felony Division.

Prior to her appointment, Winstead was a judge for the Polk County Court, a position to which she was named in 2019. Before that, she spent eleven years as an assistant state attorney with the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County (2008 to 2019).

Winstead received an associate’s degree from Polk State College and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College (2005). She went on to complete a J.D. at Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, in 2008.

She was born and raised in Illinois.