Born 1943 in Canton, NC

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on July 25, 1985, to a seat vacated by Woodrow W. Jones. Confirmed by the Senate on October 16, 1985, and received commission on October 17, 1985. Service terminated on October 19, 1987, due to appointment to another judicial position.

Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on February 2, 1987, to a seat vacated by Antonin Scalia. Confirmed by the Senate on September 9, 1987, and received commission on September 11, 1987. Served as chief judge, 2008-2013. Assumed senior status on February 12, 2013.

Other Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, 2018-2023; presiding judge, 2020-2023

Education:
University of North Carolina, B.A., 1965
University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1968

Professional Career:

Private practice, Asheville, North Carolina, 1968-1970
Assistant U.S. attorney, Western District of North Carolina, 1970-1974
Judge, Mecklenburg County [North Carolina] District Court, 1974-1977
Visiting professor, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 1977
Private practice, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1977-1985
Visiting professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1991-1992
Member, Judicial Conference of the United States, 2008-2013