Stephen A. Higginson
Encyclopedia
Stephen A. Higginson is an American lawyer and judge who sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
.
in 1983, where he concentrated in Government and English. After earning an M.Phil from the University of Cambridge
the following year, he enrolled in Yale Law School
, where from he graduated with a law degree
in 1987. During his time at Yale, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law Journal
.
From 1987 until 1988, Higginson served as a law clerk for Judge Patricia Wald
on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
. He then served as a clerk for Associate Justice
Byron White
on the United States Supreme Court
from 1988 until 1989.
In 2004, he became a full-time faculty member at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He taught criminal procedure, constitutional law and evidence.
Sen. Mary Landrieu
had recommended Higginson to Obama for the vacancy in November 2010. The Senate confirmed Higginson's nomination by a vote of 88–0 on October 31, 2011, and he was sworn into office on November 2, 2011. He fills the seat that had been held by Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr.
, who took senior status
in 2010.
. The couple lives in New Orleans.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Louisiana* Middle District of Louisiana...
.
Early life and education
Higginson graduated summa cum laude from Harvard CollegeHarvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1983, where he concentrated in Government and English. After earning an M.Phil from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
the following year, he enrolled in Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
, where from he graduated with a law degree
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...
in 1987. During his time at Yale, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law Journal
Yale Law Journal
The Yale Law Journal is a student-run law review affiliated with the Yale Law School. Published continuously since 1891, it is the most widely known of the eight law reviews published by students at Yale Law School...
.
From 1987 until 1988, Higginson served as a law clerk for Judge Patricia Wald
Patricia Wald
Patricia McGowan Wald is an American judge. Wald served as the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and served as a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.Wald graduated from Connecticut College in 1948 and earned...
on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit known informally as the D.C. Circuit, is the federal appellate court for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Appeals from the D.C. Circuit, as with all the U.S. Courts of Appeals, are heard on a...
. He then served as a clerk for Associate Justice
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are the members of the Supreme Court of the United States other than the Chief Justice of the United States...
Byron White
Byron White
Byron Raymond "Whizzer" White won fame both as a football halfback and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed to the court by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, he served until his retirement in 1993...
on the United States Supreme Court
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 1988 until 1989.
Professional career
Higginson became an assistant United States Attorney in 1989, working in the criminal division for the District of Massachusetts. In 1993, he shifted to working in the Eastern District of Louisiana, and he became chief of appeals in 1995. From 2004 to 2011, he worked part-time as a prosecutor, continuing to supervise the appellate section.In 2004, he became a full-time faculty member at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He taught criminal procedure, constitutional law and evidence.
Nomination to federal appeals court
On May 5, 2011, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Higginson to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and submitted the nomination to the Senate on May 9, 2011.Sen. Mary Landrieu
Mary Landrieu
Mary Loretta Landrieu is the senior United States Senator from the State of Louisiana and a member of the Democratic Party.Born in Arlington, Virginia, Landrieu was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana...
had recommended Higginson to Obama for the vacancy in November 2010. The Senate confirmed Higginson's nomination by a vote of 88–0 on October 31, 2011, and he was sworn into office on November 2, 2011. He fills the seat that had been held by Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr.
Jacques L. Wiener, Jr.
Jacques Loeb Wiener, Jr. is a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His chambers are in New Orleans, Louisiana....
, who took 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...
in 2010.
Personal
Higginson is married to Collette Creppell, who is the former director of the New Orleans City Planning Commission and the current university architect and director of campus planning for Tulane UniversityTulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
. The couple lives in New Orleans.