Judge Jack R. St. Arnold: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Jack R. St. Arnold (Ret.) was a judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He was elected to the bench in 2002, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. David S. Walker. St. Arnold retired in 2020 and opened his own private mediation firm.

The 6th Judicial Circuit encompasses Pasco County and Pinellas County. St. Arnold held assignments in Pinellas County, presiding over cases in the Felony, Civil, Probate, Appellate, and Family Divisions.

He received a B.S. in finance from the University of South Florida in 1973. St. Arnold went on to complete a J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 1976. He was admitted to practice in Florida in 1977.

After graduating from law school, St. Arnold began his legal career as a commercial litigation and general practice attorney in the law firm of Peebles & Gracy (1977 to 1987). Then, in 1987, he opened his own law firm, where he practiced alongside a colleague until assuming the bench in 2003. His practice there included civil litigation, estate planning, and probate matters.

His memberships have included the Clearwater Bar Association. From a civic standpoint, St. Arnold served as a president of the Dunedin Historical Society and was the founding president of the Crime Stoppers of Pinellas. He also served as commissioner of the Dunedin City Commission for six years.

He received the William Castagna Award of Judicial Excellence from the Barney Masterson Inn of Court in 2016.

A native of Pinellas County, he grew up in the Tampa Bay area, where he enjoyed spending time around airports. St. Arnold made his first solo flight on his sixteenth birthday. While attending university, he worked as a flight instructor to help pay for his education. At the time of his election, St. Arnold was a volunteer pilot, helping to transport food and medicine to Haiti for a charitable organization.