Karen J. Williams
Encyclopedia
Karen J. Williams was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
, appointed in 1992 and serving as its Chief Judge
from 2007 until her retirement in 2009. Williams was mentioned as a potential nominee
to the United States Supreme Court during the administration of George W. Bush
.
, Williams received her B.A.
from Columbia College
in 1972 and a J.D.
from the University of South Carolina Law Center in 1980. She was in private practice in Orangeburg, South Carolina
from 1980 to 1992.
On January 27, 1992, Williams was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a seat on the Fourth Circuit vacated by Robert Foster Chapman
. She was confirmed by the United States Senate
on February 27, 1992, and received her commission on March 2, 1992. She became chief judge in 2007.
. She stated her desire to leave the bench while still able to perform her judicial duties, so that her future decisions would not be questioned because of her illness.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia, with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:*District of Maryland*Eastern District of North Carolina...
, appointed in 1992 and serving as its Chief Judge
Chief judge
Chief Judge is a title that can refer to the highest-ranking judge of a court that has more than one judge. The meaning and usage of the term vary from one court system to another...
from 2007 until her retirement in 2009. Williams was mentioned as a potential nominee
Bush Supreme Court candidates
Speculation abounded over potential nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States by President George W. Bush since before his presidency....
to the United States Supreme Court during the administration of 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....
.
Background
Born in Orangeburg, South CarolinaOrangeburg, South Carolina
Orangeburg, also known as "The Garden City," is the principal city in and the county seat of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The city is also the fifth oldest city in the state of South Carolina. The city population was 12,765 at the 2000 census, within a Greater Orangeburg...
, Williams received her 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 Columbia College
Columbia College (Columbia, South Carolina)
Columbia College is a private liberal arts women's college in Columbia, South Carolina. The school is affiliated with United Methodist Church and has more than 1,500 students...
in 1972 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 South Carolina Law Center in 1980. She was in private practice in Orangeburg, South Carolina
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Orangeburg, also known as "The Garden City," is the principal city in and the county seat of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The city is also the fifth oldest city in the state of South Carolina. The city population was 12,765 at the 2000 census, within a Greater Orangeburg...
from 1980 to 1992.
On January 27, 1992, Williams was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a seat on the Fourth Circuit vacated by Robert Foster Chapman
Robert Foster Chapman
Robert Foster Chapman was a United States federal judge.Born in Inman, South Carolina, Chapman was an Ensign in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1943 to 1946. He received a B.S. from University of South Carolina in 1945, and an LL.B. from University of South Carolina Law School in...
. 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 February 27, 1992, and received her commission on March 2, 1992. She became chief judge in 2007.
Illness and retirement
Williams retired suddenly on July 8, 2009 after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's diseaseEarly-onset Alzheimer's disease
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease, also called early-onset Alzheimer's, or early-onset AD, is the term used for cases of Alzheimer's disease diagnosed before the age of 65. It is an uncommon form of Alzheimer's, accounting for only 5-10% of all Alzheimer's sufferers...
. She stated her desire to leave the bench while still able to perform her judicial duties, so that her future decisions would not be questioned because of her illness.