Judge George Paulk to Retire from Brevard’s 18th Judicial Circuit in January 2027
Circuit Judge George T. Paulk has announced his retirement from the 18th Judicial Circuit effective January 5, 2027, creating an open seat in Group 13 just weeks before the qualifying period for the 2026 judicial election closes. The announcement was shared by the Brevard County Bar Association and prompted an outpouring of appreciation from local legal community members.
A Career Rooted in Brevard County
A graduate of Merritt Island High School, Paulk earned an associate degree from Florida State University, a business degree from the University of Florida, and his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1985. He was admitted to The Florida Bar the following year.
Before joining the bench, Paulk built an extensive legal career that included private practice in Brevard and Seminole counties, service as an assistant state attorney in the 18th Judicial Circuit, and more than a decade as supervising attorney for the Guardian ad Litem Program. He also taught as an adjunct professor in business, criminal justice, and paralegal studies.
Judicial Career and Election History
Paulk was elected to the 18th Judicial Circuit bench in 2014, beginning his term on January 6, 2015. He was reelected in 2020 and ran unopposed, as he was expected to do again in 2026. His service covered the Family Division, domestic violence matters, and Circuit Civil cases.
Open Seat Triggers New Candidate Filing
The retirement announcement arrived with only weeks remaining in the qualifying period, which runs April 20 through 24. Attorney George Cole Gaspard, currently serving as general counsel for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, filed paperwork to run for the seat immediately following the announcement. Gaspard replaced Laura Moody, who was appointed as a judge by Governor DeSantis in 2024 following the retirement of Judge Nancy Maloney.
With the petition deadline falling on the Monday after the announcement, new candidates seeking to qualify by petition would not have sufficient time to gather the required number of signatures, meaning they would need to pay the qualifying fee instead.
Paulk’s Legacy
With his retirement, Paulk will conclude nearly 12 years on the circuit court bench — part of a legal career spanning nearly four decades since his bar admission in 1986. For the Brevard legal community, his departure marks the close of a chapter defined by steady service across multiple divisions and a commitment to the families and litigants who came before his court.