Appointed and Trusted by Governor Desantis
Judge Ostrov was vetted and selected by the Judicial Nominating Commission and chosen by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as Hendry County Judge. Judge Ostrov resides in LaBelle, Florida.
Supported by local law enforcement and community leaders
Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden
Clewiston Police Chief Tico Salgado
County Commissioner Emma Byrd
Donna and Gene McAvoy
ABout
Judge OStrov
Judge Ostrov proudly serves as Hendry County Judge where he presides over a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, probate, traffic, juvenile and domestic violence matters. He conducts both jury and bench trials with a steadfast commitment to fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.
Before taking the bench, Judge Ostrov served Hendry County for six years as General Magistrate, where he handled family law cases and earned a reputation for thoughtful decision-making and respect for all parties involved. His judicial experience also includes service as a Hearing Officer for the 20th Judicial Circuit, as well as work as an arbitrator for both the American Arbitration Association and FINRA.
Judge Ostrov began his legal career as a criminal prosecutor. He worked as a criminal defense attorney, and went on to found his own civil litigation firm.
Judge Ostrov served as a prosecutor with the Florida Dispute Resolution Center, where he helped uphold ethical standards for mediators and arbitrators across the State. He also served as board council for USA Volleyball.
Judge Ostrov holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law, a Masters Degree from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tulane University.
With decades of legal experience and a deep respect for the law, Judge Ostrov remains dedicated to serving the people of Hendry County with fairness, impartiality and integrity.
I am deeply committed to the rule of law and to upholding the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Florida. I believe a judge must place the law above all personal interests or beliefs, and I am dedicated to ensuring that every decision I make is grounded solely in the law and the facts presented.
Equally important, I am committed to treating every person who enters my courtroom with dignity and respect, regardless of the circumstances that bring them there. This principle is central to my role as a judge, and is at the heart of my reason for choosing this path of public service.