Benson Everett Legg
Encyclopedia
Benson Everett Legg is a United States federal judge
.
Legg was born in Baltimore, Maryland. After receiving his education at the preparatory school
Gilman School
in Baltimore, graduating in the class of 1966, he earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Princeton University
in 1970. He went on to obtain a Juris Doctor
from the University of Virginia School of Law
in 1973 and was admitted to the Maryland bar
the same year.
From 1973 to 1974, Legg was a law clerk
to judge Frank A. Kaufman U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and then practiced law privately
in Baltimore from 1975 to 1991. On May 15, 1991, he was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to fill a seat in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland vacated by Paul V. Niemeyer
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on September 12, 1991, and received his commission on September 16, 1991. He served as chief judge from January 6, 2003 to January 4, 2010.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Legg was born in Baltimore, Maryland. After receiving his education at the preparatory school
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
Gilman School
Gilman School
Gilman School is a private preparatory school for boys located in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1897 as the Country School for Boys, it was the first country day school in the United States. Gilman enrolls approximately 978 students, ranging from kindergarten to...
in Baltimore, graduating in the class of 1966, he earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1970. He went on to obtain a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
in 1973 and was admitted to the Maryland bar
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
the same year.
From 1973 to 1974, Legg was a law clerk
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
to judge Frank A. Kaufman U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and then practiced law privately
Practice of law
In its most general sense, the practice of law involves giving legal advice to clients, drafting legal documents for clients, and representing clients in legal negotiations and court proceedings such as lawsuits, and is applied to the professional services of a lawyer or attorney at law, barrister,...
in Baltimore from 1975 to 1991. On May 15, 1991, he was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to fill a seat in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland vacated by Paul V. Niemeyer
Paul V. Niemeyer
Paul Victor Niemeyer is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.- Biography :Niemeyer was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He attended Kenyon College , where he played on the school's . He then studied at the University of Munich, before pursuing his legal...
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on September 12, 1991, and received his commission on September 16, 1991. He served as chief judge from January 6, 2003 to January 4, 2010.