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Varlan, Thomas A.

Born 1956 in Oak Ridge, TN

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
Nominated by George W. Bush on January 7, 2003, to a seat vacated by Robert Leon Jordan. Confirmed by the Senate on March 13, 2003, and received commission on March 14, 2003. Served as chief judge, 2012-2019.

Education:
University of Tennessee, B.A., 1978
Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 1981

Professional Career:

Private practice, Atlanta, Georgia, 1981-1987
City law director, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1988-1998
Private practice, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1998-2003
Member, Judicial Conference of the United States, 2010-2013

Other Nominations/Recess Appointments:

Nominated to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, October 10, 2002; no Senate vote