Elizabeth A. Kovachevich
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Anne Kovachevich (born December 14, 1936) is a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
.
, Kovachevich earned an associate's degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1956 and a bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Miami
in 1958. She then earned a law degree in 1961 from Stetson University College of Law.
from 1961 until 1973, when she was elected a judge on the State of Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit. Kovachevich was the first female judge on the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and she served as a state judge in Florida until 1982.
nominated Kovachevich to a seat on a federal district court, according to an October 12, 1976 memo to Ford by his personnel director, Douglas Bennett. The United States Senate
never acted on Kovachevich's nomination before Ford's presidency ended, and Ford's successor, President Jimmy Carter
, elected not to renominate Kovachevich.
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
. She was confirmed by the United States Senate
on March 4, 1982.
Kovachevich served as chief judge for her district court from 1996 until 2002.
Kovachevich is based in Tampa, Florida
.
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida serves the residents of thirty-five counties from eight courthouses....
.
Early life and education
Born in Canton, IllinoisCanton, Illinois
Canton is the largest city in Fulton County, Illinois in the United States. The population was 18,288 as of the 2000 Census. The Canton Micropolitan Statistical Area covers all of Fulton County; it is in turn part of the wider Peoria-Canton, IL Combined Statistical Area .-Geography:Canton is...
, Kovachevich earned an associate's degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1956 and a bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
in 1958. She then earned a law degree in 1961 from Stetson University College of Law.
Professional career
Kovachevich worked in private law practice in St. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
from 1961 until 1973, when she was elected a judge on the State of Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit. Kovachevich was the first female judge on the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and she served as a state judge in Florida until 1982.
Failed nomination to a federal district court
On June 8, 1976, President Gerald FordGerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
nominated Kovachevich to a seat on a federal district court, according to an October 12, 1976 memo to Ford by his personnel director, Douglas Bennett. 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...
never acted on Kovachevich's nomination before Ford's presidency ended, and Ford's successor, President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
, elected not to renominate Kovachevich.
Federal judicial service
On January 26, 1982, Kovachevich was nominated by President Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida serves the residents of thirty-five counties from eight courthouses....
. She 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 March 4, 1982.
Kovachevich served as chief judge for her district court from 1996 until 2002.
Kovachevich is based in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.