In his first chance to shape the makeup of the Florida Supreme Court, Gov. Rick Scott has appointed appellate court judge C. Alan Lawson.

"He is somebody that builds good relationships and I am excited about this opportunity to appoint my first Supreme Court justice and maybe a few more," Scott said. Later he added, "He’s not going to legislate from the bench."

Lawson, 55, is chief judge of the 5th District Court of Appeals. He was appointed in 2006 by Gov. Jeb Bush, and his resume also includes stints as a municipal attorney, private practice lawyer and circuit judge.

The other two finalists were 5th District Court of Appeals Judge Wendy Berger, 47, of St. Augustine, and Orlando civil attorney Daniel Gerber, 53.

Lawson stood with Scott Friday morning during the announcement.

"It’s just a great honor, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity and I thank Gov. Scott," he said.

Scott met Wednesday with all three finalists recommended by the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Committee.

Lawson, who lives in Winter Park, will replace Justice James Perry, 72, who is retiring because of constitutionally mandated age limits. Perry is considered to be part of a trio of liberal-leaning justices on the court, but the candidates recommended to Scott all said they would have a more conservative approach on the bench.

When Gov. Charlie Crist had to nominate a justice in 2008, both Lawson and Gerber were on the short list but Perry was chosen instead.

Scott was required to choose a justice from within the jurisdiction of the 5th District Court of Appeals, which includes 13 counties, mostly in central Florida but also St. Johns, Flagler and Putnam.

The governor also said in his final days in office he plans to fill three other vacancies that are a result of age restrictions. When an opening occurred during the waning days of Democrat Gov. Lawton Chiles’ administration, he jointly appointed a replacement with Republican Gov.-elect Jeb Bush.

Scott made no such promises.

"I’ll appoint three more justices the morning I finish my term," he said on Friday.

If that happens, Scott will have appointed four of the seven Supreme Court justices by the time he leaves office. But that likely wouldn’t happen without a fight, even if Scott’s replacement in the governor’s office is a fellow Republican.

"If Governor Scott follows through on this assertion, he risks setting off a contentious legal battle with his successor that would mar the transition process and throw our state’s highest court into uncertainty," House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz said in a statement.

Tia Mitchell: (850) 933-1321