Timothy D. Osterhaus at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Timothy D. Osterhaus
Chief Judge · Florida First District Court of Appeal
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2013-present
- Osterhaus has held the role of Chief Judge of the First District Court of Appeal since May 20, 2013, under Governor Rick Scott’s appointment
- The Chief Judge of the Florida First District Court of Appeal, appointed in 2013, with a career that includes serving as Florida’s Solicitor General and other high-level legal roles
- The Chief Judge of the Florida First District Court of Appeal, appointed on May 20, 2013, with prior service as Florida’s Solicitor General and a legal career spanning state agencies, private practice, and federal clerkship
- Distinguished Service Awards from the Florida Attorney General’s Office (2009, 2010)
- Assistant General Counsel, Florida Department of Education (2005–2007)
- Associate attorney at Arent Fox and Howrey & Simon (1998–2004)
- Law clerk to U.S. District Judge Kenneth Ryskamp (1997–1998)
Education
- University of Virginia in — J.D. (1997)
Additional information
- Current term ends January 5, 2027; running for retention in 2026.
- Charter member, First District Appellate American Inn of Court (2008–present).
- He has participated in legal conferences and events, including the Federalist Society’s “Federalism and Religious Liberties” panel in 2016.
- Solicitor General of Florida (2012–2013)
- Practitioner, 2012-2012
- Deputy Solicitor General of Florida (2007–2012).
- Florida Trend Magazine Legal Elite (Government), 2010.
- Sole practitioner (2004–2005).
- Earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors from King College in 1993.
- Later attended Charlotte Christian School (NC) and graduated from Bristol Tennessee High School in 1989.
- Judge Timothy D. Osterhaus’s career reflects extensive appellate experience, public service, and long-standing involvement in Florida’s judicial system.
- As Solicitor General, he represented the State of Florida in appeals before the Florida District Courts of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court
- Met his wife while clerking for Judge Ryskamp.
- Born and raised in South Florida; attended Westminster Christian School.
- He is also a charter member of the First District Appellate American Inn of Court and serves on the Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee
- Florida Courts+1
- handling appeals in state and federal courts, among them the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Florida Courts+2
- Member of the Florida Bar and D.C. Bar.
- Grew up in a service-oriented family; active in athletics among them soccer, tennis, basketball, and football.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media And Still Photography
Statewide
Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.
Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowedFlorida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Florida First District Court of Appeal
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 3, 2026.
Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 3, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗