John Ashton MacKenzie
Encyclopedia
John Ashton MacKenzie is a former United States federal judge
.
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia
, MacKenzie received an LL.B. from Washington and Lee University School of Law
in 1939. He was in private practice in Portsmouth, Virginia
from 1939 to 1967, also serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II
, from 1941 to 1946. He was an associate judge of the Municipal Court of Portsmouth from 1952 to 1962. He was a member of the Virginia General Assembly
from 1954 to 1958.
On July 17, 1967, MacKenzie was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 18, 1967, and received his commission on August 25, 1967. He served as chief judge from 1979 to 1985. He assumed senior status
on November 30, 1985, serving in that capacity until his retirement from the bench, on January 30, 1998.
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 Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
, MacKenzie received an LL.B. from Washington and Lee University School of Law
Washington and Lee University School of Law
The Washington and Lee University School of Law is a private American Bar Association-accredited law school located in Lexington in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Facilities are currently on the campus of Washington and Lee University in Sydney Lewis Hall...
in 1939. He was in private practice in Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
from 1939 to 1967, also serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1941 to 1946. He was an associate judge of the Municipal Court of Portsmouth from 1952 to 1962. He was a member of the Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
from 1954 to 1958.
On July 17, 1967, MacKenzie was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of two United States district courts serving the Commonwealth of Virginia...
created by 80 Stat. 75. 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 August 18, 1967, and received his commission on August 25, 1967. He served as chief judge from 1979 to 1985. He 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 November 30, 1985, serving in that capacity until his retirement from the bench, on January 30, 1998.