UF Law alumni rank 13th in the nation for most federal judgeships and ninth for most federal district court judges.
According to a paper in the Tennessee Law Review, UF has 46 federal judges and 44 district court judges, beating out schools like the University of Chicago and tying with the University of California at Berkeley, respectively. Harvard Law School ranked first in both categories.
Jon Mills, UF Levin College of Law’s dean emeritus, said the college instills important values in future judges like prudence and temperament.
“I think we try to instill that your ethical conduct and your reputation are the most valuable things that you carry with you as a lawyer,” he said.
Mills, who has been a member of the Florida Judicial Nominating Commission for 12 years, makes recommendations for judgeships. He said many prospective judges are UF alumni, especially within Florida.
“I think it’s a recognition that if you work hard and are successful, a Florida law degree is valued, is valued by the profession, both in Florida and beyond,” Mills said.
Judge Sherri Collins, who graduated from UF in 1991, said she clerked for an 8th Circuit judge dur- ing her time in law school. She is now a county court judge in Palm Beach County, Florida. Collins said UF Law helped her become a good lawyer and judge.
“If I wasn’t successful in my position after graduation as an attorney, there’s no way I would have been successful in my position to be able to be a judge,” Collins said.
Contact Romy Ellenbogen at rellenbogen@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @romyellenbogen
