Allyson K. Duncan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Allyson K. Duncan
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Duncan in 2012
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| Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit | |
| In office March 21, 2019 – July 31, 2019 |
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| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit | |
| In office August 15, 2003 – March 21, 2019 |
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| Appointed by | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Samuel James Ervin III |
| Succeeded by | Allison Jones Rushing |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 5, 1951 Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Hampton University (BA) Duke University (JD) |
Allyson Kay Duncan (born September 5, 1951, in Durham, North Carolina) is a former important judge in the United States. She served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She made history as the first African American woman to become a judge on that specific court.
Allyson Duncan's Early Life and Career
Allyson Duncan went to Hampton University and earned a college degree (a Bachelor of Arts) in 1972. She then studied law at Duke University School of Law, getting her law degree (a Juris Doctor) in 1975.
After law school, she worked for a publishing company. Then, from 1977 to 1978, she was a law clerk for Judge Julia Cooper Mack. A law clerk helps a judge with their research and writing.
In 1978, Allyson Duncan joined the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is a government agency that works to make sure everyone has a fair chance at jobs, no matter their background. She held many important roles there, including helping the chairman.
From 1986 to 1990, she was a professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law. She taught different law subjects, like how to argue cases in higher courts.
In 1990, she briefly served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. This is a court that hears appeals from lower courts in North Carolina.
Later, from 1991 to 1998, she was a Commissioner for the North Carolina Utilities Commission. This group helps make rules for things like electricity and water services. After that, she worked as a partner at a law firm called Kilpatrick Stockton. In 2003, she became the first African-American president of the North Carolina Bar Association, which is a professional group for lawyers in North Carolina.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On April 28, 2003, President George W. Bush chose Allyson Duncan to become a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. This court is a very important federal court that hears appeals from federal district courts in several states.
Both Republican and Democratic senators from North Carolina supported her. This was unusual because appointments to this court often caused disagreements between political parties. The United States Senate voted to approve her on July 17, 2003, with a vote of 93 to 0. She officially became a judge on August 15, 2003.
In May 2018, Judge Duncan announced that she would take "senior status." This means a judge can work a reduced schedule but still hear cases. President Donald Trump then nominated Allison Jones Rushing to take her place. Allison Rushing was confirmed by the Senate in March 2019.
Allyson Duncan officially took senior status on March 21, 2019. She fully retired from her role as a judge on July 31, 2019.
See also
- List of African-American federal judges
- List of African-American jurists
- List of first women lawyers and judges in North Carolina
