Howell W. Melton
Encyclopedia
Howell Webster Melton, Sr. (born December 15, 1923) is an American lawyer
and United States federal judge
. He currently serves on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia
, Melton graduated from the University of Florida
in 1943 with his Associate of Arts degree. Melton served in the United States Army
from 1943 to 1946 during World War II and attended the University of Florida College of Law, receiving his J.D.
in 1948. He remained in the United States Army Reserve
in the Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1949 to 1953.
Melton was in private practice
in St. Augustine, Florida
from 1948 until 1961. He was a county attorney
for St. Johns County
from 1959 to 1960. He served as a circuit judge of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida
from 1961 to 1977.
President Jimmy Carter
nominated Melton to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on March 29, 1977, to the seat vacated by Gerald B. Tjoflat. Confirmed
by the Senate
on April 25, 1977, and received his commission the next day. Melton assumed senior status
on February 1, 1991.
, is an attorney with Holland & Knight
.
His granddaughter, Whitney Laney, is a radio personality
with WXXL
.
Law of the United States
The law of the United States consists of many levels of codified and uncodified forms of law, of which the most important is the United States Constitution, the foundation of the federal government of the United States...
and United States federal judge
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....
. He currently serves 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....
.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Melton graduated from the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
in 1943 with his Associate of Arts degree. Melton served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1943 to 1946 during World War II and attended the University of Florida College of Law, receiving his J.D.
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...
in 1948. He remained in the United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
in the Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1949 to 1953.
Melton was in private practice
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 St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
from 1948 until 1961. He was a county attorney
County attorney
A county attorney in many areas of the United States is the chief legal officer for a county or local judicial district. It is usually an elected position...
for St. Johns County
St. Johns County, Florida
St. Johns County is a county located in northeastern Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 190,039. The county seat is St. Augustine. Due to the inclusion of Ponte Vedra Beach, it is one of the highest-income counties in the United States....
from 1959 to 1960. He served as a circuit judge of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Florida Circuit Courts
The Florida Circuit Courts are state courts. They are trial courts of original jurisdiction for most controversies. In Florida, the circuit courts are one of four types of courts created by the Florida Constitution .The Circuit Courts primarily handle civil cases where...
from 1961 to 1977.
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...
nominated Melton to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on March 29, 1977, to the seat vacated by Gerald B. Tjoflat. Confirmed
Advice and consent
Advice and consent is an English phrase frequently used in enacting formulae of bills and in other legal or constitutional contexts, describing a situation in which the executive branch of a government enacts something previously approved of by the legislative branch.-General:The expression is...
by the 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 April 25, 1977, and received his commission the next day. Melton assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on February 1, 1991.
Family
His son, Howell W. Melton Jr.Howell W. Melton Jr.
Howell W. Melton Jr. was the Managing Partner for Holland & Knight, a global law firm with more than 1,150 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices. Melton was born in St. Augustine, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida.His father, Howell W...
, is an attorney with Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight is an international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices. Other offices around the world are located in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Beijing, China, and Mexico City, Mexico. Holland & Knight provides representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law.-...
.
His granddaughter, Whitney Laney, is a radio personality
Radio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
with WXXL
WXXL
WXXL, also known as XL1067, is a contemporary hit radio station licensed to Tavares, Florida, United States, and is owned by Clear Channel Communications. Its studio is located at Clear Channel Orlando's headquarters in Maitland. WXXL primarily serves the Greater Orlando metropolitan area...
.