by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
U.S. Circuit Court Judge Gerald Tjoflat has been active on the bench for 34 years, probably longer than most of the Federal judges from across the country and longer, by far, than in anyone in Florida. There isn’t much he would change about his experiences, he said Thursday, but he will not entertain a higher court appointment if asked.
A rumored nominee in the early 1990s to become a Supreme Court Justice, the conservative Tjoflat’s chances floundered when Bill Clinton defeated George Bush in 1992.
Several Justices are ill, meaning at least one spot may soon come open, but Tjoflat, who turns 75 next week, said he’s too old to have his name out there again even though a Bush is back in the White House.
“Nope, not me,” said Tjoflat. “Maybe when I was still in my 60s I would have considered it, but I’m too old now. In my opinion, I would say 65 is probably a good cutoff for most people. Sixty five and nothing over.
“Besides, there are plenty of capable people who could do it if one of the Supreme Court Justices were to retire within the next few years. Many who have been already been filibustered, I’d like to add.”
Tjoflat was quick to point out, however, that his lack of interest in a Supreme Court appointment in no way indicates that he has any plans to retire from his current post in the 11th Circuit.
“I’ll retire when they put me in a pine box,” he said. “Other than that, I don’t see myself going anywhere. As long as I’m able to serve, I’ll serve. I promise you that.”
Tjoflat’s resilience does not go unnoticed, friends and colleagues say he has no trouble keeping up with judges and attorneys half his age.
“He runs circles around most of them,” said Barbara Lay, Tjoflat’s assistant for over a decade. “He’s as good as he’s ever been and everyone knows it. They know because they have to run to keep up with him.”