Judge William Terrell Hodges (JD 58) was honored Nov. 2 at the Thomas Center in Gainesville. (Photos by Haley Stracher)

By Richard Goldstein

When U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges (JD 58) was nominated to the federal bench in 1971, he assumed his robes in the middle district of Florida before the age of 40, and 41 years later he holds the same job, now as a federal judge on senior status in Ocala.

A remarkably stable career one might conclude.

But it was clear during a Nov. 2 reception at the Thomas Center in Gainesville sponsored by the North Central Chapter of the Federal Bar Association that Hodges did not stand still during his long tenure.

As protégé of former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Hodges rose to lead policymaking body for the administration of justice in the federal courts, becoming chair of the Judicial Conference of the United States. Hodges and District Judge Anthony Alaimo lodged the complaint that would result in the impeachment and removal from office of U.S. District Judge Alcee Hastings, who had been acquitted by a jury of soliciting a bribe in a mob case. And he mentored decades worth of law clerks.

Those clerks were present in force at the Thomas Center to praise their former boss.

Scott L. Whitaker (JD 76), who clerked for Hodges from 1976 to 1978, said Hodges took seriously his duty to dispense justice and to guard against abuse of power.

“I watched him struggle every time he had to pass sentence,” Whitaker said. “His humility in all things is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. He always used to say, every time you use a little power, you lose a little power. I’ve never seen him abuse it once.”

Judge William Terrell Hodges (JD 58) was honored Nov. 2 at the Thomas Center in Gainesville. (Photos by Haley Stracher)

Still, one story of the way Hodges exercised power elicited knowing laughter from the audience that included UF Law students.

Judge Gerald Bard Tjoflat of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals explained that Tampa maintained a bus stop immediately in front of the courthouse steps while Hodges was chief judge of the middle district during the 1980s.

“The city of Tampa had a bus system and they had a monstrous bus stop at the base of the old federal courthouse in Tampa. All the buses came there and the jurors would have trouble getting up there” to the courthouse, Tjoflat said.

Hodges sent a letter to the mayor demanding that the bus stop be moved. When no action ensued, Tjoflat said, federal marshals dismantled the offending public transportation facility with blow torches.

Sitting on a dais with Tjoflat, Hodges accepted laconically the stories and praise offered during the “Toast to Judge Hodges” event.

“That was the result of deputies who volunteered; no order was given so it was unappealable,” Hodges deadpanned.

Last year Hodges served as the Peter T. Fay Jurist-in-Residence at UF Law speaking with students and faculty about judicial clerkships, trial advocacy and legal careers.

Hodges was appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He served as chief judge from 1982 to 1989 and has maintained senior status since 1999.

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.