John Guard is an American attorney and jurist who has served in various capacities within the Florida state legal system and was a nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Early life and education
Guard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Florida State University. He subsequently obtained a Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from Tulane University Law School, where he was a notes and comments editor for the Tulane Law Review【3†L41-L46】.
Legal career
After law school, Guard practiced commercial litigation at Holland & Knight LLP, later clerking for Judge James S. Moody, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He returned to Holland & Knight, focusing on commercial, intellectual‑property, and bankruptcy litigation, before joining the federal prosecutor’s office in Jacksonville in 2009, where he handled healthcare, mail, and wire‑fraud cases【3†L46-L54】.
In 2012 Guard re‑entered private practice as a partner at Quarles & Brady LLP, concentrating on commercial, trust, and government‑investigation matters【3†L54-L58】.
Public service
In January 2019, Florida Attorney General Ashley B. Moody appointed Guard as Chief Deputy Attorney General, a role he held for over six years, overseeing the Department of Legal Affairs and its litigation operations【3†L58-L62】. Following Moody’s departure, Guard served as interim Attorney General of Florida from 21 January 2025 until a permanent successor was confirmed【4†L9-L14】.
Judicial appointment
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Guard to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, where he presently serves as a judge【3†L30-L33】【3†L39-L41】.
Federal judicial nomination
President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Guard to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on 16 June 2025, and formally submitted the nomination on that date. The Senate Judiciary Committee held no hearing before the 2026 sine die adjournment, and the nomination was returned to the President on 3 January 2026【4†L23-L30】.
Professional affiliations
Guard has been affiliated with the Florida Bar, the American Bar Association, and has held leadership roles within the state’s legal community.
Personal life
Guard is a member of the Republican Party. Details of his personal life beyond his professional background are not widely documented in public encyclopedic sources.
References
- Florida Second District Court of Appeal – Judge John Guard profile, Florida Courts website.
- Ballotpedia entry “John Guard,” detailing education, career, and federal nomination.
- Alliance for Justice nominee profile for John Guard.
- Congressional nomination record PN346‑4 (119th Congress), United States Congress.