Tharp, John Joseph Jr. Born 1960 in Camp Lejeune, NC Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois Nominated by Barack Obama on November 20, 2011, to a seat vacated by Blanche M. Manning. Confirmed by the Senate on May 14, 2012, and received commission on May 16, 2012. Education: Duke University, B.A., 1982 Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1990 Professional Career: U.S. Naval Reserve, 1978-1980 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1980-1982, 1987-1988 U.S. Marine Corps, 1982-1987; second lieutenant, 1982-1984; first lieutenant, 1984-1987; captain, 1987 Law clerk, Hon. Joel M. Flaum, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1990-1991 Private practice, Chicago, Illinois, 1991-1992, 1997-2012 Assistant U.S. attorney, Northern District of Illinois, 1992-1997