James O. Browning
Encyclopedia
James Oren Browning is a federal judge
for the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
.
Browning was born in Levelland, Texas
, and grew up mainly in New Mexico
. He received a B.A.
from Yale University
in political science in 1978, graduating magna cum laude. While at Yale, Browning played varsity football. He then earned a J.D.
from the University of Virginia Law School in 1981. In law school, he was Editor in Chief of the Virginia Law Review. He is a member of the Raven Society and the Order of the Coif
.
After law school, Browning served as law clerk to Judge Collins J. Seitz
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
from 1981 to 1982, and then clerked for Justice Lewis F. Powell of the Supreme Court of the United States
from 1982 to 1983. After finishing his judicial clerkships, Browning returned to New Mexico and began working at the law firm Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin, & Robb. He was a Deputy attorney general of New Mexico Department of Justice from 1987 to 1988. Afterwards, he returned to private practice at Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin, & Robb. In 1990, he formed his own law firm, Browning & Peifier, P.A. He continued to practice at Browning & Peifer until his appointment to the federal bench in 2003.
Browning was then made a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
. He was nominated by President George W. Bush
on April 28, 2003, to a seat vacated by C. Leroy Hansen. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on July 31, 2003, and received commission on August 1, 2003.
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....
for the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the state of New Mexico...
.
Browning was born in Levelland, Texas
Levelland, Texas
Levelland is a city in Hockley County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,542. It is the county seat of Hockley County. It is located on the Llano Estacado, west of Lubbock. Major industries include cotton farming and petroleum production...
, and grew up mainly in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. He received a B.A.
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...
from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in political science in 1978, graduating magna cum laude. While at Yale, Browning played varsity football. He then earned 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 Virginia Law School in 1981. In law school, he was Editor in Chief of the Virginia Law Review. He is a member of the Raven Society and the Order of the Coif
Order of the Coif
The Order of the Coif is an honor society for United States law school graduates. A student at an American law school who earns a Juris Doctor degree and graduates in the top 10 percent of his or her class is eligible for membership if the student's law school has a chapter of the...
.
After law school, Browning served as law clerk to Judge Collins J. Seitz
Collins J. Seitz
Collins Jacques Seitz was a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from 1966 until his death in 1998....
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts for the following districts:* District of Delaware* District of New Jersey...
from 1981 to 1982, and then clerked for Justice Lewis F. Powell of the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
from 1982 to 1983. After finishing his judicial clerkships, Browning returned to New Mexico and began working at the law firm Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin, & Robb. He was a Deputy attorney general of New Mexico Department of Justice from 1987 to 1988. Afterwards, he returned to private practice at Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin, & Robb. In 1990, he formed his own law firm, Browning & Peifier, P.A. He continued to practice at Browning & Peifer until his appointment to the federal bench in 2003.
Browning was then made a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the state of New Mexico...
. He was nominated by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
on April 28, 2003, to a seat vacated by C. Leroy Hansen. 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 July 31, 2003, and received commission on August 1, 2003.