Phillip S. Figa
Encyclopedia
Phillip Sam Figa was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Figa attended Northwestern University
"through a scholarship caddie program at a nearby country club". He received a B.A.
in economics from Northwestern in 1973, and a J.D.
from Cornell Law School
in 1976. Figa was in private practice in Denver, Colorado
, from 1976 to 2003.
Figa was one of five people recommended by Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell
and Wayne Allard
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Colorado
after the departure of Richard Paul Matsch
, and on June 9, 2003, he was nominated by President George W. Bush
for the role. Figa was confirmed by the United States Senate
on October 2, 2003, and received commission on October 6, 2003.
In March 2007, Figa was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. He continued to serve until his death. He died January 5, 2008 in his home in Greenwood Village, Colorado
.
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 Chicago, Illinois, Figa attended Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
"through a scholarship caddie program at a nearby country club". 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...
in economics from Northwestern in 1973, 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 Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School, located in Ithaca, New York, is a graduate school of Cornell University and one of the five Ivy League law schools. The school confers three law degrees...
in 1976. Figa was in private practice in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, from 1976 to 2003.
Figa was one of five people recommended by Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Benjamin Nighthorse Campbell is an American politician. He was a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 1993 until 2005 and was during his tenure the only American Indian serving in the U.S. Congress. Campbell was a three term U.S. Representative from 1987 to 1993, when he was sworn into office as a...
and Wayne Allard
Wayne Allard
Alan Wayne Allard is a member of the Republican Party, and was a United States Senator from Colorado. He did not seek re-election in 2008.-Early life:...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Colorado
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
The United States District Court for the District of Colorado is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Colorado. The United States Congress organized Colorado as a single judicial district on June 26, 1876, by 19 Stat. 61...
after the departure of Richard Paul Matsch
Richard Paul Matsch
Richard Paul Matsch is a retired United States federal judge.Matsch was born in Burlington, Iowa. He earned his A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1951, and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1953. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He was an attorney...
, and on June 9, 2003, 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....
for the role. Figa 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 October 2, 2003, and received commission on October 6, 2003.
In March 2007, Figa was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. He continued to serve until his death. He died January 5, 2008 in his home in Greenwood Village, Colorado
Greenwood Village, Colorado
The city of Greenwood Village is a prominent suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and a Home Rule Municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States...
.