Fort Lauderdale solo practitioner Phoebee Francois will be the newest general magistrate in Broward County. Chief Circuit Judge Victor Tobin appointed her Friday to replace retired County Magistrate Deborah McClosky.

Francois, who did not return a call for comment by deadline, is expected to start in the next few weeks to allow her time to close down her practice, Tobin said. He said he selected Francois because she was a “very qualified candidate” among nearly 20 applications.