Courtesy photo / Circuit Judge returns for a second stint as chief judge of the 7th Judicial Circuit that includes Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties.DELAND -- Circuit Judge William A. Parsons will lead the Seventh Judicial Circuit as chief judge beginning July 1. Elected by the 42 circuit and county court judges in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, Parsons will have administrative supervision over all courts in the 7th Judicial circuit which includes Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties, during his two-year term.
He will also continue his duties on the circuit bench, where he currently hears civil cases in Daytona Beach.
Parsons, who served as chief judge from 2005 to '07, succeeds Circuit Judge J. David Walsh, whose second term as chief judge ends June 30. Walsh will remain on the bench, hearing criminal cases at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.
Parsons earned his juris doctor degree from the Florida State University College of Law. After spending 25 years in private practice as a civil trial attorney, Parsons was appointed to the bench in 1997.
“Judge Walsh should be commended for his leadership these past four years," Parsons said of the jurist he succeeds as top judge. "His professionalism and sensible approach helped us weather the storm of shrinking budgets and growing caseloads.
Parsons said he understands that situation is the court system's new reality.
“We expect the economy will continue to put a strain on the system for some time," Parsons said. "Working with our judges, Court Administration staff, the Bar and other court partners, we remain committed to delivering justice to the citizens of this circuit in the most efficient and economical way possible.”
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