Sara Peacock is running to be a Circuit Judge, in the 13th Judicial Circuit, Group 7. She has been an attorney for 14 years and her diverse legal and community experience has prepared her for the judicial bench. During her career, she has practiced in the areas of criminal defense, family law and civil litigation.

Since 2019, Peacock has been a staff counsel attorney practicing auto-accident insurance defense. Prior to that, she worked for Cortes Hodz Family Law & Mediation, primarily handling family law matters but also did criminal defense and domestic violence injunction work. Prior to Cortes Hodz, she worked for Pennington, P.A., where she handled auto-accident cases.

Peacock started her law career as an attorney with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office in 2011. In her six years there, she handled cases involving felonies, misdemeanors and juveniles. She tried 68 jury trials in her time at the Public Defender’s Office. She handled cases ranging from petty theft to capital sexual battery to first degree murder. She also did appellate work before the Circuit Court for the 13th Judicial Circuit.

While in law school, she clerked for her family’s law firm, Peacock Law, where she did trial and hearing preparation and drafted Federal and State pleadings, among many duties. She then returned to the U.S. Attorney’s office, where she had worked during undergrad, with an internship through Stetson Law, observing Federal Court procedures, writing memoranda of law, and Prosecution memoranda.

Even before attending law school, Peacock worked in law offices. From 1999-2004, Peacock did clerical work for James, Hoyer, Newcomer and Smiljanich, P.A. From 2005-2007, she was a student clerk for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, performing administrative duties for the head of administration for the district and even had a National Security Clearance.

Peacock was born and raised in Tampa, and is raising her family in Tampa. She attended Florida Southern College before going on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law.

Peacock followed in both of her parents’ footsteps in becoming a lawyer. Her brother and sister-in-law are public school teachers. She is deeply involved in her children’s school and activities, including Little League baseball and softball, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts of America and even serving as “cookie mom” for the Girl Scout Troop.

Her children attend local public schools. She is in the PTA and takes every opportunity to volunteer at the school. Her husband and she enjoy participating in 5k races in the community and going on bike rides. She is also involved in many activities with her church, Palma Ceia Presbyterian, where she has been a life-long member, including singing in the choir and serving as a church Elder. She is an active member of the Junior League of Tampa, among her varied public service.

Peacock’s extensive involvement in professional associations includes being a current member of the Board of Directors for the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Florida Bar Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee, the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association.