Steven J. McAuliffe
Encyclopedia
Steven James McAuliffe is an American attorney and judge, currently Chief Judge
of the United States District Court
for the District of New Hampshire
. He was the husband of Christa McAuliffe
, one of the victims of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
.
Steven McAuliffe graduated from Virginia Military Institute
as a member of the class of 1970. Christa had his VMI ring with her on the shuttle. His classmates replaced this important memento.
He studied law at the Georgetown University Law Center
from 1970 to 1973. He was a captain in the U.S. Army
JAG Corps
from 1973-77. From 1977-80, he was an assistant attorney general in New Hampshire. He was in private practice in Concord, New Hampshire
from 1980 until his appointment to the federal bench in 1992 by President George H. W. Bush
. He became Chief Judge of the New Hampshire district in 2004 on the expiration of Paul J. Barbadoro
's term as Chief Judge.
Originally from Massachusetts, McAuliffe now lives in Concord, New Hampshire, where he serves as a Federal judge. He is the widower of Christa McAuliffe, NASA's Teacher in Space candidate. Steve continues to serve as a Founding Director for Challenger Center for Space Science Education. He has two children, Scott and Caroline. In 1992, he married Kathleen E. McAuliffe.
Chief judge
Chief Judge is a title that can refer to the highest-ranking judge of a court that has more than one judge. The meaning and usage of the term vary from one court system to another...
of the United States District Court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
for the District of New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. He was the husband of Christa McAuliffe
Christa McAuliffe
Christa McAuliffe was an American teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, and was one of the seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster....
, one of the victims of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members. The spacecraft disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of central Florida at 11:38 am EST...
.
Steven McAuliffe graduated from Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
as a member of the class of 1970. Christa had his VMI ring with her on the shuttle. His classmates replaced this important memento.
He studied law at the Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
from 1970 to 1973. He was a captain in the U.S. 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...
JAG Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
from 1973-77. From 1977-80, he was an assistant attorney general in New Hampshire. He was in private practice in Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
from 1980 until his appointment to the federal bench in 1992 by President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
. He became Chief Judge of the New Hampshire district in 2004 on the expiration of Paul J. Barbadoro
Paul J. Barbadoro
Paul J. Barbadoro is a United States District Judge for the District of New Hampshire.Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Paul grew up in Acton, Massachusetts. Barbadoro graduated from Gettysburg College in 1977 and earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1980...
's term as Chief Judge.
Originally from Massachusetts, McAuliffe now lives in Concord, New Hampshire, where he serves as a Federal judge. He is the widower of Christa McAuliffe, NASA's Teacher in Space candidate. Steve continues to serve as a Founding Director for Challenger Center for Space Science Education. He has two children, Scott and Caroline. In 1992, he married Kathleen E. McAuliffe.