Debra M. Brown (Mississippi)
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2013 - Present
11
Debra M. Brown is the chief judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. On May 16, 2013, President Barack Obama (D) nominated Brown to the court. Brown was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 4, 2013. Her confirmation made her the first African American female to be confirmed to a federal judgeship in Mississippi.[1][2] Brown became chief judge in 2021.[3]
Early life and education
Brown attended Mississippi State University, graduating with a B.A. in architecture in 1987. She worked for ten years as an architect in the D.C. area. She went on to attend University of Mississippi School of Law, earning her J.D. in 1997.[4]
Professional career
- 2012-2013: Shareholder, Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A.
- 1997-2012: Attorney, Phelps Dunbar LLP[4]
Judicial career
Northern District of Mississippi
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: Debra M. Brown |
| Court: Northern District of Mississippi |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 172 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: May 16, 2013
|
| ABA Rating: Unanimously Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: July 10, 2013
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: August 1, 2013
|
| Confirmed: November 4,2013
|
| Vote: 90-0
|
On May 16, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Debra M. Brown to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi to fill the vacancy left by Allen Pepper.[2] Obama commented on the nominations, stating:
| “ | These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system. I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity.[4][5] | ” |
Brown was rated Unanimously Qualified by the American Bar Association. She had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 10, 2013. You can find her Committee Questionnaire available here and her Questions for the Record available here.[6]
On November 5, 2013, Debra Brown was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a unanimous vote of 90-0. Her confirmation fills a vacancy that was created after the passing of Allen Pepper. The Senators of Mississippi applauded the confirmation:
| “ | “I am confident Debra Brown will serve with distinction as a United States district court judge in Mississippi. Her personal background, educational accomplishments, and legal experience should serve her well as she assumes this important position... The Senate vote is recognition of her qualifications to serve as a member of the federal judiciary. | ” |
| —Thad Cochran | ||
| “ | I am thrilled and honored to be part of this historic moment for Mississippi... Ms. Brown is a proven trailblazer. Our country needs judges who have a record of professional excellence, integrity, and public service. I am confident her service will be good for our nation, our state, and especially good for the city of Greenville, where she will preside. Having a judge who is also an architect would be particularly serendipitous for Greenville, as the federal courthouse there is woefully inadequate and in desperate need of a new state-of-the-art courthouse. | ” |
| —Roger Wicker | ||
Awards and associations
- 2003-2004: President, Mississippi Women Lawyers Association[4]
See also
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
- Biography from the Federal Judicial Center
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 newsMS., "It's a First: Debra Brown Confirmed for Federal Judgeship," November 5, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate" 5/16/2013
- ↑ Federal Judicial Center, "Brown, Debra Marie," accessed January 24, 2022
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "President Obama Nominates Three to Serve on the United States District Court" 5/16/2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 113th Congress Nomination Materials
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi 2013-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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| Nominated | |||
