J. Thomas McGrady elected chief judge in Pinellas-Pasco

LARGO — J. Thomas McGrady was elected by his fellow judges Wednesday as chief judge of the Pinellas-Pasco Circuit. As chief judge, McGrady will continue hearing cases, but also will make decisions about assignments for other judges, and handle administrative matters for the two-county court system. The judges voted in a meeting that was closed to the public. McGrady, 60, was appointed as a Pinellas County judge in 1999 and became a circuit judge in 2002. He has undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida. He will succeed Robert J. Morris, who is joining Florida's 2nd District Court of Appeal.