Gov. Rick Scott appointed Judge Wendy W. Berger of St. Augustine to the 5th District Court of Appeal.

Berger, 43, who served as assistant general counsel in the governor’s office under former Gov. Jeb Bush, has served on the 7th Judicial Circuit Court since 2005.

“Judge Berger’s varied experience and abiding commitment to judicial restraint make her exceptionally well-qualified for the appellate bench,” Scott stated in a release. “I am confident that she will administer justice with wisdom and impartiality for years to come.”

Berger will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David A. Monaco.