Graves, James Earl Jr. Born 1953 in Hinds County, MS Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Nominated by Barack Obama on January 5, 2011, to a seat vacated by Rhesa H. Barksdale. Confirmed by the Senate on February 14, 2011, and received commission on February 15, 2011. Education: Millsaps College, B.A., 1975 Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 1980 Syracuse University, M.P.A., 1981 Professional Career: Staff attorney, Central Mississippi Legal Services, Jackson, Mississippi, 1980-1983 Adjunct professor, Jackson State University, 1980-1997 Private practice, Jackson, Mississippi, 1983-1986 Special assistant attorney general, State of Mississippi, 1986-1990 Director, Division of Child Support Enforcement, Mississippi Department of Human Services, 1990-1991 Judge, Mississippi Circuit Court, Seventh Judicial District, 1991-2001 Justice, Mississippi Supreme Court, 2001-2011; presiding justice, 2009-2011