“If there are no oral arguments on a given day, I’ll probably have 15 jurisdictional decisions to consider,” Wells said. “After jurisdictional questions are decided, I work through cases trying to develop opinions.” Then there’s preparation for the Wednesday conferences, where the justices come together to discuss circulated opinions.Cases are assigned randomly, and oral arguments are heard in about half of them.

“I have three law clerks,” Wells said. “But I like to do a lot of my own research.”

A proud “Double-Gator” who has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Florida, Wells earned his bachelor’s in 1961 and law degree in 1964. As an undergraduate, he participated in UF’s homecoming and Florida Blue Key, and was elected to the UF Hall of Fame in 1961.

After graduation, Wells received one of the three highest bar exam scores in the state in 1965, and spoke at the induction ceremony at the Second District Court of Appeals. He practiced in his father’s firm in Orlando 1965-69, then spent a year as a trial lawyer for the U.S. Justice Department. In 1970, he returned to his father’s firm and remained there until 1976, when he formed his own Orlando firm, Wells, Gattis, Hallowes & Carpenter, P.A. He practiced there until 1994, when Governor Lawton Chiles appointed him to the Florida Supreme Court.

He became chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court in July 2000, a position that rotates among the justices every two years, and made history when presiding over cases that came before the court during Election 2000.

During his 28 years of private practice, Wells also found time for civic activities, including involvement in the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce, Orlando Jaycees, Orange County YMCA, and Professional Division of the United Appeal of Orange County.

“Community involvement is very important,” Wells said.

He feels pro bono work is equally important, and spent 14 years working with the Orange County Legal Aid Society, serving on the Society’s Board of Trustees 1988-89. The society gave him its Award of Excellence in 1989 for outstanding pro bono service. He also volunteered for nine years in the Guardian Ad Litem Program, representing dependent and abused children in court proceedings.

Wells similarly served the legal profession. He participated in the Orange County Bar Association for years, and was president 1989-90. He also served on The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors.

He also manages to find time to give back to his alma mater, serving as president of the Orange County Chapter of UF’s Alumni Association and returns to Gainesville — along with his fellow justices — to judge the Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Final Four competition each fall.

Among other credentials, Wells has been a certified mediator in both state and federal courts and was admitted to practice by all Florida courts and several federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

According to Assistant Dean for Career Services Linda Calvert Hanson, many top legal employers recruit former judicial law clerks after their terms.

“We are very proud of these six accomplished students,” said Hanson. “The competition for these highly coveted positions is intense, and their selection is not only an excellent reflection of the student’s achievements but also on the UF Levin College of Law’s reputation with members of the judiciary.”

The students agreed this is a wonderful opportunity and will ease the transition into their careers. They expect to gain a better understanding of how judges come to their decisions, which will aid them in creating well written, more effective verbal advocacies. The six are:

• LL.M. in Taxation student Ted Afield will serve a year at the U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit under Judge Charles Wilson in Tampa. “This experience will increase my insight and analytical ability,” said Afield. “I will get the opportunity to see how the judge will attack each case.”

• Cory Andrews will serve a two-year term with U.S. District Court Judge Steven Merryday, Middle District of Florida, in Tampa, and will train his successor during his second year. “It will be invaluable to see so many trials and to have a chance to see great lawyers,” said Andrews.

• Scott Bauries will serve a year at the U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit with Judge Emmett Ripley Cox in Mobile, AL. “This will help me develop, sharpen and hone my legal talents,” he said. “More students need to know that this is an option.”

• Amanda Reid will serve with U.S. District Court Judge Harvey Schlesinger, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville. “I hope to gain a better understanding of what happens in and out of the courtroom,” she said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime and great transition to private practice.”

• Michael Sayer will work with U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Covington, Middle District of Florida, in Ft. Meyers. “I knew this was what I wanted to do, and I pushed up my graduation to be part of it.”

• Janelle Weber will serve a year at the U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit with Judge Edward Carnes in Montgomery, AL. “I hope to gain lots of experience and make a nice transition into private practice,” she said.

All six also have agreed to participate as alumni judicial clerk mentors and assist other UF law students interested in judicial clerkships.