Norma Holloway Johnson
Encyclopedia
Norma Holloway Johnson (born Normalie Loyce Holloway; July 28, 1932 – September 18, 2011) was a former United States federal judge
, and the first African American woman to serve as a US District Court Chief Judge.
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana
, she received a B.S.
from District of Columbia Teachers College in 1955 and a J.D.
from Georgetown University Law Center
in 1962. She was in private practice in Washington, DC in 1963. She was a Trial attorney of Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice from 1963 to 1967. She was an Assistant corporation counsel, Washington, DC from 1967 to 1970. She was a judge on the District of Columbia Superior Court from 1970 to 1980. Judge
Johnson was nominated by President Jimmy Carter
on February 28, 1980, to a seat vacated by George L. Hart
. She was confirmed by the United States Senate
on May 9, 1980, and received commission on May 12, 1980.
Johnson ruled on Kenneth Starr
's probe of the Clinton administration. She also convicted Rita Lavelle
for contempt of court and sentenced her to prison. Served as chief judge, 1997-2001. She assumed senior status
on June 18, 2001. Johnson served in that capacity until December 31, 2003, due to retirement.
Johnson died Sunday, September 18, 2011, at her brother's home in her native Lake Charles, following a stroke. She was 79 years old.
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....
, and the first African American woman to serve as a US District Court Chief Judge.
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
, she 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 District of Columbia Teachers College in 1955 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 Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
in 1962. She was in private practice in Washington, DC in 1963. She was a Trial attorney of Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice from 1963 to 1967. She was an Assistant corporation counsel, Washington, DC from 1967 to 1970. She was a judge on the District of Columbia Superior Court from 1970 to 1980. Judge
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
The United States District Court for the District of Columbia is a federal district court. Appeals from the District are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (in case citations, D.D.C.) is a...
Johnson was nominated by 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...
on February 28, 1980, to a seat vacated by George L. Hart
George L. Hart
George L. Hart is a professor of Tamil language at the University of California, Berkeley.Hart received his Ph.D. in Sanskrit from Harvard University and taught at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before joining the faculty at Berkeley...
. 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 May 9, 1980, and received commission on May 12, 1980.
Johnson ruled on Kenneth Starr
Kenneth Starr
Kenneth Winston "Ken" Starr is an American lawyer and educational administrator who has also been a federal judge. He is best known for his investigation of figures during the Clinton administration....
's probe of the Clinton administration. She also convicted Rita Lavelle
Rita Lavelle
Rita Marie Lavelle is a United States and California State Republican political figure. Lavelle was convicted on federal charges of perjury related to an investigation into misuse of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's "Superfund" money during her tenure with the agency, and...
for contempt of court and sentenced her to prison. Served as chief judge, 1997-2001. She 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 June 18, 2001. Johnson served in that capacity until December 31, 2003, due to retirement.
Johnson died Sunday, September 18, 2011, at her brother's home in her native Lake Charles, following a stroke. She was 79 years old.