Sharon Lovelace Blackburn
Encyclopedia
Sharon Lovelace Blackburn (born 1950) is a United States federal judge
.
Born in Pensacola, Florida
, Blackburn received a B.A.
from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
in 1973 and a J.D.
from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
in 1977. She was a law clerk
to the Hon. J. O. Sentell of the Alabama Supreme Court
in 1977, and to U.S. District Court Robert Varner, of the Middle District of Alabama, from 1977 to 78. She was a staff attorney of Birmingham Area Legal Services in Birmingham, Alabama
in 1979, and was then an assistant United States Attorney
for the Northern District of Alabama, in the Civil Division from 1979 to 1985, and in the Criminal Division from 1985 to 1991.
On April 11, 1991, Blackburn was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
created by 104 Stat. 5089. She was confirmed by the United States Senate
on May 24, 1991, and received her commission on May 30, 1991. She has served as chief judge since 2006.
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....
.
Born in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, Blackburn received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
in 1973 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
Cumberland School of Law
Cumberland School of Law is an ABA accredited law school at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The 11th oldest law school in the United States, it is 160 years old and has more than 11,000 graduates. Its alumni include two United States Supreme Court Justices; Nobel Peace Prize recipient...
in 1977. She was a law clerk
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
to the Hon. J. O. Sentell of the Alabama Supreme Court
Alabama Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Alabama is the highest court in the state of Alabama. The court consists of an elected Chief Justice and eight elected Associate Justices. Each justice is elected in partisan elections for staggered six year terms. The Governor of Alabama may fill vacancies when they occur...
in 1977, and to U.S. District Court Robert Varner, of the Middle District of Alabama, from 1977 to 78. She was a staff attorney of Birmingham Area Legal Services in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
in 1979, and was then an assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for the Northern District of Alabama, in the Civil Division from 1979 to 1985, and in the Criminal Division from 1985 to 1991.
On April 11, 1991, Blackburn was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the following counties: Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, De Kalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar,...
created by 104 Stat. 5089. She 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 24, 1991, and received her commission on May 30, 1991. She has served as chief judge since 2006.