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Judicial Honors: Autumn 2016

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Vol. 100 No. 3 (2016) | Who appointed me god? | Download PDF Version of Article

JAMES F. REITZ, a judge on the Putnam County Court in New York, was celebrated at the Patterson Rotary Club’s “Men Who Cook” fundraiser for his efforts to make Putnam County a safe place to work, live, and raise a family.


Judge Nathaniel R. Jones

NATHANIEL R. JONES, a retired judge who served on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, will be the 101st recipient of the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal. The award honors a person of African descent who has attained the highest achievement. Past honorees include Dr. Martin Luther King, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, and Langston Hughes. The award will be given at the NAACP’s annual banquet in July.


BRIAN J. DAVIS, a U.S. District Court judge for the Middle District of Florida, received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. The award was presented by the chair of the North Florida Council Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Association Committee and Judge Gerald Tjoflat of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.


LEONARD DAVIS, a former judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, received the New York Intellectual Property Law Association’s Outstanding Public Service Award. Judge Davis is the 14th recipient of the national award, which recognizes extraordinary public service.


KATHRYN H. VRATIL, a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Kansas, received the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Kansas School of Law. The award honors graduates for their professional achievements, contributions to the legal field, and service to their communities and the university.


PATRICIA A. KELLER, a judge on West Virginia’s Sixth Family Court Circuit, was inducted into the Keyser High School Legion of Honor. The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations presented


Judge Richard A. Jones

RICHARD A. JONES, a U.S. District Court judge for the Western District of Washington, with an Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The award recognizes individuals whose accomplishments in their field and service to their county are a cause for celebration. Past honorees include Rosa Parks, Elie Wiesel, Muhammad Ali, and Frank Sinatra.


Judge Glen M. Reiser

The Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association named GLEN M. REISER as “Judge of the Year.” Judge Reiser is a judge on the California Superior Court in Ventura County. He has served on the bench since 1998.


HIRAM A. CARPENTER III was recognized for his year-long service as a visiting senior judge on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Greene County. Judge Carpenter also was the keynote speaker for the court’s annual Law Day festivities.


The Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists honored EVA GUZMAN, a justice on the Texas Supreme Court, and MIKE ENGELHART, a Texas District Court judge in Harris County, with “Judge of the Year” awards.


GIL MCBRIDE, chief judge of the Chattahoochee County Judicial Circuit of the Georgia Superior Court, was a guest speaker at a ceremony to honor high school students who had been selected for induction into the National Honor Society. Judge McBride also spoke about mandatory attendance in Georgia’s public schools.


Milestones

These federal judges (active status) are celebrating milestone anniversaries of their commission dates this autumn.

50 years
MANUEL LAWRENCE REAL U.S. District Court, Central District of California

40 years
JOHN THOMAS COPENHAVER JR. U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia

35 years
RICHARD ALLEN POSNER U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

25 years
REBECCA F. DOHERTY U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
SUE LEWIS ROBINSON U.S. District Court, District of Delaware
SAM SPARKS U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
CLARENCE THOMAS Supreme Court of the United States