Carl E. Stewart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carl E. Stewart
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| Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | |
| In office October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Edith Jones |
| Succeeded by | Priscilla Richman |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | |
| Assumed office May 9, 1994 |
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| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089 |
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| Born | January 2, 1950 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Dillard University (BA) Loyola University New Orleans (JD) |
Carl Edmond Stewart, born on January 2, 1950, is a very important judge in the United States. He works as a circuit judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Former President Bill Clinton appointed him to this role in 1994. Before that, he was a judge for the Louisiana Circuit Courts of Appeal from 1985 to 1994.
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Early Life and Education
Carl Stewart grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. His mother, Corine, worked as a maid, and his father, Richard, was a postal worker. When Carl was a teenager in the 1960s, he saw the Civil Rights Movement happening. He learned how the legal system could help make good changes in society.
This inspired Carl to want to help people through the law. He went to Dillard University in New Orleans and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. He then earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1974.
Early Career in Law
In 1974, Carl Stewart joined the U.S. Army. He worked in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, which is where lawyers serve in the military. As a captain, he was a defense attorney for soldiers at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. He helped soldiers who needed legal advice or representation.
After leaving the Army in 1977, Stewart worked at a small private law firm. In 1978, he joined a field office of the Louisiana Attorney General.
Working as a U.S. Attorney
In 1979, Stewart became an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. This meant he worked for the government to bring cases against people who broke federal laws. He handled many different types of cases.
For example, he prosecuted someone who charged very high interest rates to people who needed money. He also worked on a case involving a sheriff who tried to buy votes during an election. Another case involved a dishonest landowner who made false claims for flood help from the government. In 1982 and 1983, the Justice Department praised him for his work on a civil rights case.
Becoming a Judge
Carl Stewart left the Justice Department in 1983. He started his own private law practice in Shreveport. He also taught as a professor at Louisiana State University.
In 1985, he was elected as a district judge in Louisiana. He served in this role for six years. After that, he was elected to the state's Second Circuit Court of Appeal. He served there from 1991 to 1994.
Federal Judicial Service
President Bill Clinton nominated Carl Stewart to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on January 27, 1994. This was a new judge position that had just been created. The United States Senate approved his nomination on May 6, 1994. He officially became a judge on May 9, 1994.
Judge Stewart served as the Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit from 2012 to 2019. The Chief Judge is the main leader of the court.
Personal Life and Recognition
Carl Stewart is married to Jo Ann Southall Stewart. She is a registered nurse who helps school children with problems related to harmful substances. They have three children together.
Carl's two brothers are also successful attorneys. Richard G. Stewart Jr. is a Force Judge Advocate in the U.S. Navy. James E. Stewart Sr. is a retired judge who is now the District Attorney of Caddo Parish. Carl Stewart is also a leader in the Louisiana United Methodist Conference.
Awards and Honors
Carl Stewart has received many awards for his work and contributions.
- He has been honored by the Boy Scouts of America.
- He also received an award from the Carver Branch YMCA.
- The Louisiana Chapter of the Jaycees named him Louisiana Outstanding Young Man of the Year.
- The Southern University Shreveport-Bossier Afro-American Society gave him the Black Leader of the Year award.
See also
