James L. Foreman
Encyclopedia
James L. Foreman is a former United States federal judge
.
Born in Metropolis, Illinois
, Foreman was in the United States Navy
from 1945 to 1946. He received a B.S.
from the University of Illinois in 1950, and a J.D.
from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1952. From 1952 to 1972, he was in private practice in Metropolis, Illinois
. He was the assistant state attorney general
of Illinois
from 1953 to 1960, and then a state's attorney of Massac County, Illinois until 1964.
On February 16, 1972, Foreman was nominated by President Richard Nixon
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois
vacated by William G. Juergens. Foreman was confirmed by the United States Senate
on March 2, 1972, and received his commission on March 7, 1972. He served as chief judge from 1978 until March 31, 1979, when the districts of Illinois were reorganized and he was reassigned by operation of law
to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
. He then served as chief judge of his new district until 1992, assuming senior status
on June 1, 1992 and retired May 12, 2007.
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....
.
Born in Metropolis, Illinois
Metropolis, Illinois
Metropolis is a city located along the Ohio River in Massac County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,482...
, Foreman was in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1945 to 1946. He received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from the University of Illinois in 1950, and a 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...
from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1952. From 1952 to 1972, he was in private practice in Metropolis, Illinois
Metropolis, Illinois
Metropolis is a city located along the Ohio River in Massac County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,482...
. He was the assistant state attorney general
State Attorney General
The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
from 1953 to 1960, and then a state's attorney of Massac County, Illinois until 1964.
On February 16, 1972, Foreman was nominated by President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois is a former federal district court for the state of Illinois. The court was established March 3, 1905, by 33 Stat. 992. The Northern and Southern Districts had been established February 13, 1855...
vacated by William G. Juergens. Foreman 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 2, 1972, and received his commission on March 7, 1972. He served as chief judge from 1978 until March 31, 1979, when the districts of Illinois were reorganized and he was reassigned by operation of law
Operation of law
The phrase "by operation of law" is a legal term that indicates that a right or liability has been created for a party, irrespective of the intent of that party, because it is dictated by existing legal principles. For example, if a person dies without a will, his heirs are determined by operation...
to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is a Federal district court covering approximately the southern half of the state of Illinois....
. He then served as chief judge of his new district until 1992, assuming 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 June 1, 1992 and retired May 12, 2007.