Meet Judge Pacheco
Judge Javier Pacheco was appointed to serve as a Lee County Judge by Governor Ron DeSantis in July 2025. Before taking the bench, he earned statewide respect as a Board Certified Specialist in Business Litigation, representing clients in complex civil cases for nearly twenty years. His practice included construction, real estate, homeowner and condominium associations, intellectual property, landlord-tenant issues, negligence and torts, product liability, insurance coverage, and employment disputes in both state and federal courts.
Born in Lima, Peru, Javier came to the United States at age nine when his family fled communist terrorism in search of freedom and safety. That experience gave him a lifelong appreciation for the promise of America and a clear understanding of how fragile freedom can be when the rule of law is not respected. It is what drives his deep reverence for the United States Constitution and the principles of liberty and justice it enshrines. He believes the Constitution must be followed and applied as intended by the framers, not reshaped to fit political or social trends. As a judge, he applies that belief every day by upholding the rule of law and ensuring that every person who appears before him is treated with fairness, respect, and dignity.
After earning his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Ohio State University and his law degree magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University, Judge Pacheco built a successful career as a partner at Porter Wright Morris and Arthur LLP. Over the course of two decades, he became known for his disciplined work ethic, thoughtful judgment, and unwavering commitment to fairness, accountability, and justice.
Judge Pacheco and his wife, Paula, have lived in Bonita Springs since 2008, where they are raising their two children. Much of their family life revolves around youth sports and school activities across Southwest Florida. He enjoys coaching, playing and refereeing soccer, volunteering, fishing, cooking, playing pickleball, basketball, and tennis, and spending time with his family.
Judge Javier Pacheco brings to the bench real-world experience, a lifetime appreciation for freedom, and a steady commitment to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law for every citizen of Lee County.