James Lopez Watson (May 21, 1922 – September 1, 2001) was a judge of the United States Court of International Trade. While serving as a judge around the country, Watson became the first African-American to head a federal court in the American Deep South.
Watson was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on January 19, 1966, to a seat on the United States Customs Court vacated by Judge Jed Johnson. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 4, 1966, and received his commission on March 7, 1966. He was reassigned by operation of law to the United States Court of International Trade on November 1, 1980, to a new seat authorized by 94 Stat. 1727.[1] Because judges of that court are periodically assigned to federal courts around the country, Watson became the first African-American judge to head a federal court in the American Deep South.[2] He assumed senior status on February 28, 1991. His service terminated on September 1, 2001, due to his death of cancer in Harlem.[2]
Honor
In 2003, the courthouse at 1 Federal Plaza in Manhattan was renamed the James L. Watson United States Court of International Trade Building in Watson's honor.[citation needed]
james, lopez, watson, 1922, september, 2001, judge, united, states, court, international, trade, while, serving, judge, around, country, watson, became, first, african, american, head, federal, court, american, deep, south, senior, judge, united, states, court. James Lopez Watson May 21 1922 September 1 2001 was a judge of the United States Court of International Trade While serving as a judge around the country Watson became the first African American to head a federal court in the American Deep South James Lopez WatsonSenior Judge of the United States Court of International TradeIn office February 28 1991 September 1 2001Judge of the United States Court of International TradeIn office November 1 1980 February 28 1991Appointed byoperation of lawPreceded bySeat established by 94 Stat 1727Succeeded byDonald C PogueJudge of the United States Customs CourtIn office March 7 1966 November 1 1980Appointed byLyndon B JohnsonPreceded byJed JohnsonSucceeded bySeat abolishedMember of the New York Senate from the 21st districtIn office 1954 1963Preceded byJulius A ArchibaldSucceeded byConstance Baker MotleyPersonal detailsBornJames Lopez Watson 1922 05 21 May 21 1922New York City New YorkDiedSeptember 1 2001 2001 09 01 aged 79 New York City New YorkEducationNew York University BA Brooklyn Law School LLB Contents 1 Education and career 1 1 New York State Senate service 2 Federal judicial service 3 Honor 4 See also 5 References 6 SourcesEducation and career EditBorn on May 21 1922 in Harlem New York City New York the son of James S Watson and Violet Watson James L Watson served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945 where he fought in Italy and received the Purple Heart He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947 from New York University and a Bachelor of Laws in 1951 from Brooklyn Law School He was engaged in private practice from 1951 to 1953 He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1954 to 1963 He was a Judge of the New York City Civil Court from 1963 to 1966 1 New York State Senate service Edit Watson was a member of the New York State Senate 21st D from 1955 to 1963 sitting in the 170th 171st 172nd 173rd and 174th New York State Legislatures citation needed Federal judicial service EditWatson was nominated by President Lyndon B Johnson on January 19 1966 to a seat on the United States Customs Court vacated by Judge Jed Johnson He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 4 1966 and received his commission on March 7 1966 He was reassigned by operation of law to the United States Court of International Trade on November 1 1980 to a new seat authorized by 94 Stat 1727 1 Because judges of that court are periodically assigned to federal courts around the country Watson became the first African American judge to head a federal court in the American Deep South 2 He assumed senior status on February 28 1991 His service terminated on September 1 2001 due to his death of cancer in Harlem 2 Honor EditIn 2003 the courthouse at 1 Federal Plaza in Manhattan was renamed the James L Watson United States Court of International Trade Building in Watson s honor citation needed See also EditList of African American jurists List of first minority male lawyers and judges in the United StatesReferences Edit a b James Lopez Watson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center a b Saxon Wolfgang James Lopez Watson 79 Judge on U S Trade Court Sources EditJames Lopez Watson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center New York State SenatePreceded byJulius A Archibald New York State Senate 21st District1955 1963 Succeeded byConstance Baker MotleyLegal officesPreceded byJed Johnson Judge of the United States Customs Court1966 1980 Succeeded bySeat abolishedPreceded bySeat established by 94 Stat 1727 Judge of the United States Court of International Trade1980 1991 Succeeded byDonald C Pogue Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Lopez Watson amp oldid 1129001207, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
