United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Encyclopedia
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (in case citation
s, E.D. Va.) is one of two United States district court
s serving the Commonwealth of Virginia
. It has jurisdiction over the Northern Virginia
, Hampton Roads
, and Richmond
metro areas and surrounding locations.
Appeals from the Eastern District of Virginia are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
(except for patent
claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act
, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit
).
, 1 Stat. 73, on September 24, 1789.
On February 13, 1801, the Judiciary Act of 1801, 2 Stat. 89, divided Virginia into three judicial districts: the District of Virginia, which included the counties west of the Tidewater and south of the Rappahannock River
; the District of Norfolk, which included the Tidewater counties south of the Rappahannock; and the District of Potomac
, which included the counties north and east of the Rappahannock as well as Maryland
counties along the Potomac. Just over a year later, on March 8, 1802, the Judiciary Act of 1801 was repealed and Virginia became a single District again, 2 Stat. 132, effective July 1, 1802.
The District of Virginia was subdivided into Eastern and Western
Districts on February 4, 1819, by 3 Stat. 478. At that time, West Virginia
was still part of Virginia, and was encompassed in Virginia's Western District, while the Eastern District essentially covered what is now the entire state of Virginia. With the division of West Virginia from Virginia during the American Civil War
, the Western District of Virginia became the District of West Virginia, and those parts of the Western District that were not part of West Virginia were combined with the Eastern District to again form a single District of Virginia on June 11, 1864, by 13 Stat. 124. Congress again divided Virginia into Eastern and the Western Districts on February 3, 1871, by 16 Stat. 403.
During the 1960s, Judge Albert V. Bryan Jr.
ran the Alexandria court, often ruled cases on the spot after motions were argued. The court earned the nickname, the "rocket docket
", for the speed and efficiency for which it processes its cases. Since 1997, the court has processed civil
cases the fastest of the 94 federal districts, and eighth fastest in dealing with criminal
cases. Courts at Richmond are located in the historic Lewis F. Powell, Jr. United States Courthouse.
The Eastern District of Virginia has within its jurisdiction the following counties: Accomack
, Amelia
, Arlington
, Brunswick
, Caroline
, Charles City
, Chesterfield
, Dinwiddie
, Essex
, Fairfax
, Fauquier
, Gloucester
, Goochland
, Greensville
, Hanover
, Henrico
, Isle of Wight
, James City
, King and Queen
, King George
, King William
, Lancaster
, Loudoun
,
Lunenburg
, Mathews
, Mecklenburg
, Middlesex
, New Kent
, Northampton
, Northumberland
, Nottoway
, Powhatan
, Prince Edward
, Prince George
, Prince William
, Richmond
, Southampton
, Spotsylvania
, Stafford
, Surry
, Sussex
, Westmoreland
, York County
. The district also has jurisdiction over independent municipalities
that are geographically located with these counties, but that are not politically part of them.
The Eastern District of Virginia court's jurisdiction covers slightly over six million people, comprising approximately 85% of the state's population.
in civil cases in the court. The U.S. Attorney's office also manages the Project Safe Neighborhoods
program within the district to reduce gun violence
(part of a nationwide program), and is involved with federal initiatives on drug trafficking, terrorism
, cybercrime
, and the prevention/combating of elder care abuse. Chuck Rosenberg previously served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Case citation
Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a 'neutral' form which will identify a decision wherever it was reported...
s, E.D. Va.) is one of two 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...
s serving the Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It has jurisdiction over the Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
, Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
, and Richmond
Richmond-Petersburg
The Greater Richmond Region is a region located in a central part of the state of Virginia in the United States. As of 2010, it had a population of 1,258,251, making it the 43rd largest MSA in the country...
metro areas and surrounding locations.
Appeals from the Eastern District of Virginia are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia, with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:*District of Maryland*Eastern District of North Carolina...
(except for patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act
Tucker Act
Through the Tucker Act , the United States government has waived its sovereign immunity with respect to certain lawsuits....
, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
-Vacancies and pending nominations:-List of former judges:-Chief judges:Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the court was initially created, Congress had to resolve which chief judge of the predecessor courts would become the first chief judge...
).
History
The United States District Court for the District of Virginia was one of the original 13 courts established by the Judiciary Act of 1789Judiciary Act of 1789
The United States Judiciary Act of 1789 was a landmark statute adopted on September 24, 1789 in the first session of the First United States Congress establishing the U.S. federal judiciary...
, 1 Stat. 73, on September 24, 1789.
On February 13, 1801, the Judiciary Act of 1801, 2 Stat. 89, divided Virginia into three judicial districts: the District of Virginia, which included the counties west of the Tidewater and south of the Rappahannock River
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...
; the District of Norfolk, which included the Tidewater counties south of the Rappahannock; and the District of Potomac
United States District Court for the District of Potomac
The United States District Court for the District of Potomac was a short-lived United States federal court. Named for the Potomac River, it had jurisdiction over the District of Columbia and pieces of Maryland and Virginia, making it the first United States district court to cross state lines...
, which included the counties north and east of the Rappahannock as well as Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
counties along the Potomac. Just over a year later, on March 8, 1802, the Judiciary Act of 1801 was repealed and Virginia became a single District again, 2 Stat. 132, effective July 1, 1802.
The District of Virginia was subdivided into Eastern and Western
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia is a United States district court.Appeals from the Western District of Virginia are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia (in...
Districts on February 4, 1819, by 3 Stat. 478. At that time, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
was still part of Virginia, and was encompassed in Virginia's Western District, while the Eastern District essentially covered what is now the entire state of Virginia. With the division of West Virginia from Virginia during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the Western District of Virginia became the District of West Virginia, and those parts of the Western District that were not part of West Virginia were combined with the Eastern District to again form a single District of Virginia on June 11, 1864, by 13 Stat. 124. Congress again divided Virginia into Eastern and the Western Districts on February 3, 1871, by 16 Stat. 403.
During the 1960s, Judge Albert V. Bryan Jr.
Albert V. Bryan Jr.
Albert Vickers Bryan Jr. is a United States federal judge.Born in Alexandria, Virginia, Bryan's father Albert Vickers Bryan, was also a federal judge. Bryan served in the United States Marine Corps reserve from 1944 to 1946, and then received an LL.B. from University of Virginia School of Law in...
ran the Alexandria court, often ruled cases on the spot after motions were argued. The court earned the nickname, the "rocket docket
Rocket docket
A rocket docket refers to a court or other tribunal that is noted for its speedy disposition of cases and controversies that come before it, often by maintaining strict adherence to the law as pertains to filing deadlines, etc....
", for the speed and efficiency for which it processes its cases. Since 1997, the court has processed civil
Civil law (common law)
Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim...
cases the fastest of the 94 federal districts, and eighth fastest in dealing with criminal
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
cases. Courts at Richmond are located in the historic Lewis F. Powell, Jr. United States Courthouse.
Jurisdiction
Accomack County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 33,164 people, 15,299 households, and 10,388 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile . There were 19,550 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile...
, Amelia
Amelia County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,400 people, 4,240 households, and 3,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 4,609 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Arlington
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
, Brunswick
Brunswick County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,419 people, 6,277 households, and 4,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 7,541 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Caroline
Caroline County, Virginia
Caroline County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 28,545. Its county seat is Bowling Green. Caroline County is also home to The Meadow stables, the birthplace of the renowned racehorse Secretariat, winner of the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and...
, Charles City
Charles City, Virginia
Charles City is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Charles City County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 133....
, Chesterfield
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Chesterfield County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. In 2010, its population was estimated to be 316,236. Chesterfield County is now the fourth-largest municipality in Virginia . Its county seat is Chesterfield...
, Dinwiddie
Dinwiddie, Virginia
Dinwiddie is a small unincorporated community in and the county seat of Dinwiddie County, Virginia, United States. The town was the site of the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, the Battle of Five Forks as well as the Battle of Sutherland's Station during the Appomattox Campaign.The town is near the...
, Essex
Essex County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,989 people, 3,995 households, and 2,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
, Fairfax
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, Fauquier
Fauquier County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 55,139 people, 19,842 households, and 15,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 21,046 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
, Gloucester
Gloucester County, Virginia
Gloucester County is within the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in the USA. Formed in 1651 in the Virginia Colony, the county was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, third son of King Charles I of Great Britain. Located in the Middle Peninsula region, it...
, Goochland
Goochland County, Virginia
Goochland County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 21,717. Its county seat is Goochland. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area ....
, Greensville
Greensville County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,560 people, 3,375 households, and 2,396 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 3,765 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Hanover
Hanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
, Henrico
Henrico County, Virginia
Henrico is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2010, Henrico was home to 306,935 people. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 35,270 people, 11,319 households, and 8,670 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile . There were 12,066 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, James City
James City County, Virginia
James City County is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Its population was 67,009 , and it is often associated with Williamsburg, an independent city, and Jamestown which is within the...
, King and Queen
King and Queen County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,630 people, 2,673 households, and 1,897 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 3,010 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
, King George
King George County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 23,584 people, 9,411 households, and 4,525 families residing in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile . There were 6,820 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, King William
King William County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,146 people, 4,846 households, and 3,784 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile . There were 5,189 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
, Lancaster
Lancaster County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,567 people, 5,004 households, and 3,412 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile . There were 6,498 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...
, Loudoun
Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
,
Lunenburg
Lunenburg County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,146 people, 4,998 households, and 3,383 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 5,736 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Mathews
Mathews County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile . There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
, Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 32,727 people, 12,951 households, and 8,962 families residing in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile . There were 17,403 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
, Middlesex
Middlesex County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,932 people, 4,253 households, and 2,913 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 6,362 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...
, New Kent
New Kent County, Virginia
At the 2000 census, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 per square mile . There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
, Northampton
Northampton County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,389 people, 5,321 households, and 3,543 families residing in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile . There were 6,547 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
, Northumberland
Northumberland County, Virginia
Northumberland County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. In 2010, its population was 12,330. Its county seat is Heathsville...
, Nottoway
Nottoway County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,725 people, 5,664 households, and 3,885 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 6,373 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
, Powhatan
Powhatan County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,377 people, 7,258 households, and 5,900 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 7,509 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
, Prince Edward
Prince Edward County, Virginia
Prince Edward County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 23,368. Its county seat is Farmville.-Formation and County Seats:...
, Prince George
Prince George County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,047 people, 10,159 households, and 8,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile . There were 10,726 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile...
, Prince William
Prince William County, Virginia
-National protected areas:* Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge* Manassas National Battlefield Park* Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge* Prince William Forest Park-Government and politics:...
, Richmond
Richmond County, Virginia
Richmond County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 9,254. Its county seat is Warsaw. The rural county should not be confused with the large city and state capital Richmond, Virginia, which is over...
, Southampton
Southampton County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 18,570 people, 6,279 households, and 4,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 7,058 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, Spotsylvania
Spotsylvania County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 90,395 people, 31,308 households, and 24,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 people per square mile . There were 33,329 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile...
, Stafford
Stafford County, Virginia
Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state, and just across the Rappahannock River from the City of Fredericksburg. As of the 2000 census, the population was 92,446, increasing to 128,961 in 2010.. Its county seat is Stafford. In 2006, and again in 2009,...
, Surry
Surry County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,058 people, 2,619 households, and 1,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, Sussex
Sussex County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,504 people, 4,126 households, and 2,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile . There were 4,653 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
, Westmoreland
Westmoreland County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,718 people, 6,846 households, and 4,689 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 9,286 housing units at an average density of...
, York County
York County, Virginia
York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Situated on the York River and many tributaries, the county seat is the unincorporated town of Yorktown...
. The district also has jurisdiction over independent municipalities
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
that are geographically located with these counties, but that are not politically part of them.
The Eastern District of Virginia court's jurisdiction covers slightly over six million people, comprising approximately 85% of the state's population.
United States Attorney
Neil H. MacBride is the current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, serving as prosecution for criminal cases brought by the Federal government, and representing the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in civil cases in the court. The U.S. Attorney's office also manages the Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a national initiative by the United States Department of Justice to reduce gun violence in the United States. The project is a partnership designed to develop, implement, and evaluate data-driven violence reduction strategies in communities, and improve the long-term...
program within the district to reduce gun violence
Gun violence
Gun violence defined literally means the use of a firearm to threaten or inflict violence or harm. Gun violence may be broadly defined as a category of violence and crime committed with the use of a firearm; it may or may not include actions ruled as self-defense, actions for law enforcement, or...
(part of a nationwide program), and is involved with federal initiatives on drug trafficking, terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
, cybercrime
CyberCrime
CyberCrime was an innovative, weekly America television program on TechTV that focused on the dangers facing computer users. Filmed in San Francisco, California, the show was hosted by Alex Wellen and Jennifer London...
, and the prevention/combating of elder care abuse. Chuck Rosenberg previously served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Judges
Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 3, the district is grouped into four divisions, which include the following active and senior judges:Alexandria
District Judge Leonie BrinkemaLeonie BrinkemaLeonie M. Brinkema is a United States District Court judge, in the Eastern District of Virginia.-Early life and education:...
District Judge Gerald Bruce LeeGerald Bruce LeeGerald Bruce Lee is currently serving as judge on the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia, commonly referred to as the "Rocket Docket.".-Education and career highlights:...
District Judge Liam O'GradyLiam O'Grady- Early life and education :Born in Newark, New Jersey, O'Grady received a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College in 1973 and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law in 1977.- Professional career :...
District Judge Anthony J. TrengaAnthony John TrengaAnthony John Trenga is a United States federal judge.Trenga was born in Wilkensburg, Pennsylvania. He received an A.B. from Princeton University in 1971. He received a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1974. He was a law clerk, Hon. Ted Dalton, U.S...
Senior District Judge James C. CacherisJames C. CacherisJames C. Cacheris is currently serving as judge on the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia....
Senior District Judge T.S. Ellis, III
Senior District Judge Claude M. HiltonClaude M. HiltonClaude M. Hilton is a United States federal judge.Born in Scott County, Virginia, Hilton received a B.S. from Ohio State University in 1963 and a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law in 1966. He was an assistant commonwealth's attorney of Arlington, Virginia from 1967 to 1968...
Magistrate JudgeUnited States magistrate judgeIn the United States federal courts, magistrate judges are appointed to assist United States district court judges in the performance of their duties...
John F. Anderson
Magistrate Judge Theresa C. Buchanan
Magistrate Judge T. Rawles Jones, Jr.
Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis
Norfolk
District Judge Arenda L. Wright AllenArenda L. Wright AllenArenda Lauretta Wright Allen is a United States district judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The United States Senate confirmed her nomination on May 11, 2011 in a 96–0 vote. She received her judicial commission on May 12, 2011...
District Judge Mark DavisMark Steven DavisMark Steven Davis is a United States federal judge.Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Davis received a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1984, and a J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1988. He was a law clerk, Hon. John A. MacKenzie, U.S. District Court for the Eastern...
District Judge Raymond Alvin JacksonRaymond Alvin JacksonRaymond Alvin Jackson is a United States federal judge.Born in Sussex, Virginia, Jackson received a B.A. from Norfolk State University in 1970 and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1973. He was in the United States Army Captain, JAG Corps from 1973 to 1977. U.S. Army Reserve...
District Judge Rebecca Beach SmithRebecca Beach SmithRebecca Beach Smith is a United States federal judge.-Early life:Smith was born in Hopewell, Virginia. She received a B.A. from The College of William & Mary in 1971, and then received a M.A. from the University of Virginia in 1973. Smith received her J.D. from The College of William & Mary Law...
Senior District Judge Robert G. DoumarRobert G. Doumar-Early life, education, and career:Doumar's father, George Doumar, was from Syria and immigrated to America in 1901. His mother came from Lebanon later in an arranged marriage. Both were Arabic-speaking Christians and both became U.S. citizens. The family-owned eatery, Doumar's, in Norfolk,...
Senior District Judge Jerome B. FriedmanJerome B. FriedmanJerome B. Friedman is a United States federal judge. He assumed senior status on November 30, 2010.Born in Newark, New Jersey, Friedman received a B.S. from Old Dominion College in 1965, and a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1969. He was a Trust administrator, First Union...
Senior District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr.Henry Coke Morgan, Jr.Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. is a United States federal judge.Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Morgan received a B.S. from Washington and Lee University in 1957 and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1960. He was in the United States Army Reserve Lieutenant from 1958 to 1959. He was an...
Magistrate Judge James E. Bradberry
Magistrate Judge Tommy E. Miller
Magistrate Judge William T. Prince
Magistrate Judge F. Bradford Stillman
Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller
Richmond
Chief District Judge James R. SpencerJames R. SpencerJames Randolph Spencer was born in Florence, South Carolina in 1949. He attended Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1971. He later attended Harvard Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1974....
District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr.John A. Gibney, Jr.John Adrian Gibney, Jr. is an American lawyer and judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia...
District Judge Henry E. HudsonHenry E. HudsonHenry E. Hudson is a United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.-Early life and education:...
Senior District Judge Robert E. PayneRobert E. PayneRobert E. Payne is a United States federal judge.Born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Payne received a B.A. from Washington and Lee University in 1963 and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1967. He was in the United States Army, JAG Corps from 1967 to 1971...
Magistrate Judge Dennis Dohnal
Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck
Notable cases
The Eastern District of Virginia has handled many notable cases, including:- United States v. Zacarias MoussaouiZacarias MoussaouiZacarias Moussaoui is a French citizen who was convicted of conspiring to kill citizens of the US as part of the September 11 attacks...
, No. 01-455-A (E.D. Va.) - United States v. Ahmed Omar Abu AliAhmed Omar Abu AliAhmed Omar Abu Ali is an American who was convicted of providing material support to the al Qaeda terrorist network and conspiracy to assassinate President George W. Bush.-Background:...
- United States v. Masoud Khan, et al., No. 03-296-A (E.D. Va.)
- United States v. Jay Lentz, No. 01-150-A (E.D. Va.)
- United States v. John Walker LindhJohn Walker LindhJohn Phillip Walker Lindh is a United States citizen who was captured as an enemy combatant during the United States' 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. He is now serving a 20-year prison sentence in connection with his participation in Afghanistan's Taliban army...
, No. 02-37-A (E.D. Va.) - Yaser Hamdi v. Donald RumsfeldHamdi v. RumsfeldHamdi v. Rumsfeld, 542 U.S. 507 was a U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing the dismissal of a habeas corpus petition brought on behalf of Yaser Esam Hamdi, a U.S. citizen being detained indefinitely as an "illegal enemy combatant." The Court recognized the power of the government to detain enemy...
, No. 02-439 (E.D. Va.) - United States v. Fares Ali Mohammad Dayekh (involving forgery of immigration documents to facilitate illegal entryIllegal entryIllegal entry is the act of foreign nationals arriving in or crossing the borders into a country in violation of its immigration law.Migrants from nations that do not have automatic visa agreements, or who would not otherwise qualify for a visa, often cross the borders illegally in some areas like...
from the Middle East) - United States v. Michael VickMichael VickMichael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
, No. 3:07CR274 (E.D. Va) (the Bad Newz KennelsBad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigationThe Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation began in April 2007 with a search of property in Surry County, Virginia, owned by Michael Vick, who was at the time quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons football team, and the subsequent discovery of evidence of a dog fighting ring...
dogfighting case) - NTP Inc.NTP Inc.NTP, Inc. is a Virginia-based patent holding company founded in 1992 by the late inventor Thomas J. Campana Jr. and Donald E. Stout. The company's primary asset is a portfolio of 50 US patents and additional pending US and international patent applications. These patents and patent applications...
v. Research In MotionResearch In MotionResearch In Motion Limited or RIM is a Canadian multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada that designs, manufactures and markets wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market...
, Ltd., No. 3:01CF767 (E.D. Va. Nov, 21, 2002) (the BlackBerryBlackBerryBlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion since 1999.BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more...
patent case) - eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C.EBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C.eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C., 547 U.S. 388 is a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States unanimously determined that an injunction should not automatically issue based on a finding of patent infringement, but also that an injunction should not be denied simply on the basis that...
, 271 F. Supp. 2d 789 (E.D. Va. 2002) (in which the court took the position, eventually upheld by the U.S. Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the United StatesThe Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
, that a prevailing plaintiff in a patent suit is not necessarily entitled to injunctive relief) - Commonwealth of Virginia, Ex Rel. Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II v. SebeliusSebelius* John Sebelius* Keith Sebelius , American politician** Keith Sebelius Lake* Kathleen Sebelius, née Gilligan , American politician* K. Gary Sebelius , United States magistrate judge...
, No: 3:10-CV-00188-HEH (E.D Va. 2010) (motion to dismiss State of Virginia claim that elements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActPatient Protection and Affordable Care ActThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
are unconstitutional)