Judge Richard L. Oftedal: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Florida Bar #: 224618 (December 17, 1976)

Appointed By: Gov. Robert Martinez

Biography

Hon. Richard L. Oftedal (Ret.) was a judge for the 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Palm Beach County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Bob Martinez in 1988, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. William Rutter, Jr. (Ret.). Oftedal retired in 2017.

During his judicial tenure, he served as an administrative judge of the Civil, Foreclosure, Family, and Criminal Divisions and was elected to serve as the Chief Judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in 1995.

He received a B.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia in 1973. Oftedal then worked as an engineer for the Duke Power Company in North Carolina before completing a J.D. at the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, in 1976.

After graduating from law school, he entered private practice. Oftedal first joined Jackson & Jackson, where he practiced until joining Haines & Rossow. Then, in 1980, he became a personnel attorney for the Palm Beach County School Board, rising to the position of first general counsel after three years. Oftedal was serving in that capacity at the time of his appointment to the bench.

His memberships included the Statewide Family Steering Committee, the Jury Management Steering Committee, and the Statewide Judicial Mentor Program.

Recent Cases by Hon. Richard L. Oftedal

AMUR EQUIPMENT FINANCE, INC V ALTIER, ALEXIS CHRISTINA

On October 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 22, 2026

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Oct 22, 2026

SELENE FINANCE LP V KUSKA, MATTHEW SCOTT

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 21, 2026

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Oct 22, 2026

BORSTELMANN, NINETTE V BOYER, JAMES GRANT

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 21, 2026

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Oct 22, 2026

JAMES, CAROLYN V WALMART STORES EAST LP

On October 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 20, 2026

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Oct 21, 2026

J G WENTWORTH ORIGINATIONS LLC V FORBES, SHANERIHIA

On October 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 20, 2026

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Oct 21, 2026

ROBSTAD, MARGARET V DBVT MOTORS LLC

On October 19, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 19, 2026

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Oct 20, 2026

CANTERBURY PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC V RICH, SHANNON L

On October 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 15, 2026

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Oct 17, 2026

FOX, MELVIN V HUNTERS RUN PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC

On October 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 14, 2026

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Oct 14, 2026

ALVARADO, BRENDA V SARZOSA, NATHALY

On October 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 14, 2026

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Oct 15, 2026

JEAN, WISNER V KING, RICHARD MICHAEL

On October 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 12, 2026

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Oct 13, 2026

AFZAL, SARFRAZ V BENITEZ MOLINA, JOSE

On October 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 08, 2026

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Oct 09, 2026

SPEARS, COLLIN V TRUJILLO RODRIGUEZ, YUNIESKY

On October 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 07, 2026

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Oct 07, 2026

FV-I INC IN TRUST FOR MORGAN STANLEY MORTGAGE CAPITAL HOLDINGS LLC V GRANT, NICOLE TANESHA

On October 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 07, 2026

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Oct 08, 2026

CAMPBELL, PEACHES V TYPTAP INSURANCE COMPANY

On October 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

Filed

Oct 07, 2026

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Oct 08, 2026

YAGOVANE, LOUIS V THOMAS, CERILIA NEPHANE

On October 6, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 06, 2026

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Oct 07, 2026

ALVARADO, JUAN V TRIDENT RECIPROCAL EXCHANGE

On October 5, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 05, 2026

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Oct 06, 2026

BORSTELMANN, NINETTE V TYPTAP INSURANCE COMPANY

On October 5, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

Filed

Oct 05, 2026

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Oct 06, 2026

MARCOVICH, TOBY E V GAMBINO, SUSAN

On October 4, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Oct 04, 2026

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Oct 05, 2026

MERCEDES BENZ FINANCIAL SERVICES USA LLC V STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES

On October 2, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

Filed

Oct 02, 2026

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Hon. Richard L. Oftedal 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard L. Oftedal

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Oct 05, 2026

PLANET HOME LENDING LLC V SMITH, ZACHARY L

On October 2, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

Filed

Oct 02, 2026

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Hon. Richard L. Oftedal 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard L. Oftedal

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Oct 05, 2026

ZERRATO, ANDREW V GOLDSTEIN, DEANA

On October 1, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

Filed

Oct 01, 2026

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Oct 02, 2026

U S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION V GAMBINO, CARL JR

On September 30, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

Filed

Sep 30, 2026

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Hon. Richard L. Oftedal 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard L. Oftedal

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Palm Beach County, FL

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Oct 02, 2026

RAMIREZ, NORMAN V DOUGLAS, THOMAS

On September 30, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

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Sep 30, 2026

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Hon. Richard L. Oftedal 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard L. Oftedal

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Palm Beach County, FL

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Oct 01, 2026

CLARK, CURTIS WENDELL V BLASCO, MIGUEL

On September 25, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge Richard L. Oftedal presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2026

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Judge

Hon. Richard L. Oftedal 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard L. Oftedal

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Palm Beach County, FL

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Case Last Refreshed

Sep 28, 2026

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About

Richard L. Oftedal
Current Appointment 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida	15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Election/Appointment 2012 - Re-elected	2012 - Re-elected
Education J.D., University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law - 1976 B.S., University of Virginia - 1973	J.D., University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law - 1976 B.S., University of Virginia - 1973

Documents related to Richard L. Oftedal

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	FL - 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Attorney	Jackson & Jackson	Palm Beach County, Florida
Judge	15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida	Palm Beach County, Florida
Attorney	Haines & Rossow	Palm Beach County, Florida
First General Counsel	Palm Beach County School Board	Palm Beach County, Florida
Personnel Attorney	Palm Beach County School Board	Palm Beach County, Florida