Donald James Porter was a United States federal judge

United States federal judge

In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....

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Born in Madison, South Dakota

Madison, South Dakota

Madison is a city in Lake County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 6,474 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lake County and is home to Dakota State University.-Geography:Madison is located at ....

, Porter received a B.S.

Bachelor of Science

A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...

 from the University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...

 in 1942 and an LL.B. from the University of South Dakota School of Law

University of South Dakota School of Law

The University of South Dakota School of Law is the law school of the University of South Dakota and the only law school in the state of South Dakota. It is located on the USD campus in Vermillion in the southeastern part of the state, near the Missouri River and the Iowa and Nebraska borders...

 in 1943. He was in the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, from 1943 to 1946. He was a Staff attorney of Office of Temporary Controls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1946. He was a Staff attorney of Office of Temporary Controls, St. Paul, Minnesota in 1947. He was in private practice in Chamberlain, South Dakota

Chamberlain, South Dakota

Chamberlain is a city in Brule County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 2,387 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brule County. Chamberlain is home to the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, which profiles the lives of nomadic Plains Indians...

 from 1947 to 1959. He was a State's attorney of Brule County, South Dakota

Brule County, South Dakota

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,364 people, 1,998 households, and 1,328 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 2,272 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile...

 from 1948 to 1952. He was a South Dakota state representative

South Dakota House of Representatives

The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district...

 from 1955 to 1957. He was a State's attorney of Brule County, South Dakota from 1957 to 1959. He was in private practice in Pierre, South Dakota

Pierre, South Dakota

Pierre is the capital of the U.S. state of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County. The population was 13,646 at the 2010 census, making it the second least populous state capital after Montpelier, Vermont...

 from 1959 to 1977. He was an Associate justice, South Dakota Supreme Court

South Dakota Supreme Court

The South Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court in the state of South Dakota. It is composed of a chief justice and four associate justices appointed by governor and selected from five different appointment districts. Justices face a nonpolitical retention election three years after appointment...

 from 1977 to 1979.

Porter was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota

United States District Court for the District of South Dakota

The United States District Court for the District of South Dakota is the United States District Court or the Federal district court, whose jurisdiction for issues pertaining to federal law or diversity for the state of South Dakota. The court is based in Sioux Falls with other courthouses in...

. Porter was nominated by President Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...

 on March 15, 1979, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate

United States Senate

The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...

 on May 10, 1979, and received his commission on May 11, 1979. He served as chief judge from 1985-1991. He assumed senior status

Senior status

Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...

 on March 16, 1992. Porter served in that capacity until February 17, 2003, due to his death.

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