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Peterson, James Donald

Born 1957 in Lake Charles, LA

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Nominated by Barack Obama on January 6, 2014, to a seat vacated by John C. Shabaz. Confirmed by the Senate on May 8, 2014, and received commission on May 12, 2014. Served as chief judge, 2017-present.

Education:
University of Wisconsin, B.S., 1979
University of Wisconsin, M.A., 1984
University of Wisconsin, Ph.D., 1986
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 1998

Professional Career:

Assistant professor, Department of Film, Television and Theatre, University of Notre Dame, 1986-1993
Lecturer, Department of Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin, 1994-1995
Law clerk, Hon. David G. Deininger, Wisconsin Court of Appeals, 1998-1999
Private practice, Madison, Wisconsin, 1999-2014

Other Nominations/Recess Appointments:

Nominated to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, November 7, 2013; no Senate vote