Senior Judge William Terrell Hodges (JD 58) of the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida answered questions from law students Nov. 15 and 16 as the newest Peter T. Fay Jurist-in-Residence. (Photo by Nicole Safker)

Students and faculty of the University of Florida Levin College of Law welcomed Senior Judge William Terrell Hodges (JD 58) of the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, as the newest Peter T. Fay Jurist-in-Residence.

Hodges visited the UF Law campus Nov. 15 and 16 as part of the Jurist-in-Residence program, which brings judges to speak with students and faculty about judicial clerkships, trial advocacy, legal careers and other important issues.

“I came here to answer the students’ questions,” Hodges said, “so that I can help them as they prepare to enter the practice of law.”

Hodges was appointed to preside in the Middle District of Florida by Richard Nixon in 1971. He served as chief judge from 1982 to 1989 and has maintained senior status since 1999. Prior to his appointment, he worked as a private practice attorney in Tampa.

“Judge Hodges was an outstanding candidate for our Peter T. Fay Jurist-in-Residence program,” said Senior Legal Skills Professor Jennifer Zedalis, who chairs the Jurist-in-Residence program.” He has served on the federal bench for more than 40 years, and he was able to give our students a sense of the profession that very few could convey as thoughtfully and candidly.”

Hodges met with faculty and students from the UF Law clinics, Florida Law Review and several other student organizations. A luncheon was held through the Career Development Center for students interested in judicial clerkships.

“The law clerks that I’ve hired from UF Law have always displayed an ability to do their work equally or better than those from other institutions,” Hodges said. “I also know that UF Law has a solid reputation with the judges from the U.S. Courts of Appeals as far as the quality of their graduates who become clerks.”

He was also a guest lecturer in law classes for Professors Rush and Fenster, where he discussed federal courts and statutory interpretation.

The UF Law Trial Team and Florida Moot Court Team had the opportunity to meet with Hodges to discuss trial advocacy in the federal courts.

“I stress that lawyers be themselves,” Hodges said. “Don’t try to imitate other advocates or pick up some sort of gimmickry.”

Many of the law school community know Hodges, who lives in Gainesville. He is a senior judge in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, a graduate of UF Law, and practiced law in the Tampa area with MacFarlane, Ferguson, Allison, and Kelly before his appointment to the federal bench at 37.

He has served with distinction in the Middle District for 40 years, and has presided over many high profile cases, including the Wesley Snipes tax evasion case.

Many of the law school community know Hodges, who lives in Gainesville. He is a senior judge in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, a graduate of UF Law, and practiced law in the Tampa area with MacFarlane, Ferguson, Allison, and Kelly before his appointment to the federal bench at 37.

He has served with distinction in the Middle District for 40 years, and has presided over many high profile cases, including the Wesley Snipes tax evasion case.

Many of the law school community know Hodges, who lives in Gainesville. He is a senior judge in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, a graduate of UF Law, and practiced law in the Tampa area with MacFarlane, Ferguson, Allison, and Kelly before his appointment to the federal bench at 37.

He has served with distinction in the Middle District for 40 years, and has presided over many high profile cases, including the Wesley Snipes tax evasion case.

The Jurist-in-Residence Program brings judges to UF Law to provide insights to students and faculty on a broad range of issues relating to the judicial process, substantive law, trial and appellate advocacy and the day-to-day practice of law.

Judge Black was appointed as a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida and held that position from 1979 to 1992. In 1992, she was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by President George H.W. Bush. During her visit to Levin College of Law, Judge Black participated in a number of activities at the law school and spent a significant amount of time speaking with students.

Judge Black spoke in several law classes, had breakfast and lunch with students, tea with faculty and participated in informal talks where students could engage in one-on-one conversations with Black. In addition to speaking about judicial process and decision-making, Black also addressed the practical aspects of lawyering during her visit, including the importance of professionalism, how to present oneself and advice on entering the job market in the legal world.

Judge Black spoke with various student groups, including the Florida Law Review. She also spoke to 1Ls in four classroom appearances with Professors Stinneford, Wihnyk, Mazur and Lear.

Judge Black also met with the Trial Practice class in the newly completed courtroom at the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center. Senior Legal Skills Professor Jennifer Zedalis, who is the director of UF Law’s Trial Practice Program and also chairs the Jurist-In-residence program at the College, said Judge Black’s visit was a great success.

“I think the program was wonderfully successful,” Zedalis said. “My impression was that she couldn’t wait to talk to these students.”

The UF Law Jurist-in-Residence Program was named to honor UF Law alum Peter T. Fay of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Fay served as the inaugural jurist-in-residence in 2009 and former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court Charles T. Wells served as jurist-in-residence in 2010.

The Jurist-in-Residence Program, launched in 2009, brings experienced judges to campus to share their legal insights and experiences with students through participation in college activities and classroom discussions. In addition to attending classes and meeting with students, Wells, a 1964 graduate of UF Law whose legal experience spans 28 years in private practice and 15 years on the state’s highest court, including two years as chief justice, will give a presentation on Jan. 20. The lecture, to be held at UF Law’s new Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., will focus on Wells’ involvement in the infamous vote recount of the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Bush. v. Gore.

“I am certainly honored and privileged to have been invited to be the 2010 Peter T. Fay Jurist-in-Residence,” Wells said. “I feel particularly this way because of my long friendship and admiration for Judge Fay. Judge Fay has led and influenced me throughout my entire career by his high standards of professionalism and excellence and the significant contributions he has made to our profession through his service as a lawyer and a jurist.”

The Peter T. Fay Jurist-in-Residence Program was made possible by a generous donation from U.S. District Court Judge Paul C. Huck, a 1965 UF Law graduate who wanted to honor Fay for his dedication to the professional development of young attorneys. Judge Fay served as the inaugural jurist-in-residence in 2009.

“Justice Wells will be an extraordinary resource and mentor for our students,” said Jennifer Zedalis, UF legal skills professor, director of Trail Practice and chair of the Jurist-in-Residence Program Committee. “He has served as our chief justice, and he has participated in landmark decisions ranging from capital punishment to the electoral process. He brings more wisdom and experience to our school than we could possibly describe.”

For more information on the Peter T. Fay Jurist-in-Residence Program contact Jennifer Zedalis at 352-273-0814 or zedalis@law.ufl.edu.

For more information on Charles T. Wells visit www.floridasupremecourt.org/justices/wells.shtml.

The first jurist-in-residence will be the program’s namesake, Peter T. Fay, a senior judge of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and a 1956 College of Law graduate.

The recently endowed program will bring experienced judges to campus for several days each year to visit and participate in college of law activities and enable law students to informally discuss a broad range of issues relating to the judicial process. The goal is to bridge the gap between the classroom and legal practice.

“Judge Fay is very approachable and eager to meet with as many students as possible,” said Jennifer Zedalis, UF College of Law senior legal skills professor, director of Trial Practice and chair of the Jurist-in-Residence Program Committee. “Judge Fay encourages students to drop by his office (HOL 318). This is an ideal opportunity for young attorneys to be exposed to an outstanding legal scholar.”

The idea to name the jurist-in-residence program after Fay came from Fay’s colleague and friend, U.S. District Court Judge Paul C. Huck, a 1965 UF College of Law graduate. Huck regards Fay as a judicial mentor and he wanted to honor Fay in a fashion that represented Fay’s tremendous dedication to the professional development of young lawyers.

Charlie Roberson (3L), who will clerk for Judge Fay after graduation, encourages students to make the most of Judge Fay’s visit.

“Not only is Judge Fay a great legal mind, but also a kind and generous man,” said Roberson. “Students will feel at ease with Judge Fay and can learn a lot about the justice system.”