Hinkle, Robert Lewis Born 1951 in Apalachicola, FL Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida Nominated by William J. Clinton on June 6, 1996, to a seat vacated by William H. Stafford, Jr.. Confirmed by the Senate on July 25, 1996, and received commission on August 1, 1996. Served as chief judge, 2004-2009. Education: Florida State University, B.A., 1972 Harvard Law School, J.D., 1976 Professional Career: Law clerk, Hon. Irving Goldberg, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 1976-1977 Private practice, Atlanta, Georgia, 1977-1978 Private practice, Tallahassee, Florida, 1978-1996 Adjunct professor of law, Florida State University, 1981