Judge Michelle T. Morley: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Michelle T. Morley is a judge for the 5th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. She was elected to the bench in 2006 and re-elected in 2012 and 2018.

The 5th Judicial Circuit encompasses Citrus County, Hernando County, Lake County, Marion County, and Sumter County. Morley has held assignments in Sumter County, presiding over family, juvenile dependency, juvenile delinquency, probate and guardianship, and mental health cases.

Prior to her election, Morley worked as a civil litigation and family law attorney in private practice.

Morley graduated with a B.S. in business management from the University of Tampa in 1983. She went on to earn a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in 1986.

Her committee memberships have included the Florida W.I.N.G.S. Project Steering Committee and the Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. Morley served as a member of the Florida Supreme Court Baker Act/Marchman Act Work Group and its Guardianship Work Group. She was also a board member of the Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and co-chair of the FLAFCC Eldercaring Coordination Initiative.

Morley received the Judge William E. Gladstone Award in 2019.

Away from the bench, she has volunteered her time as an affiliate of the non-profit Bridges out of Poverty.