George C. Hanks Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George C. Hanks Jr.
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| Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas | |
| Assumed office April 22, 2015 |
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| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Nancy Atlas |
| Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas | |
| In office September 13, 2010 – April 22, 2015 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Carol Hanks Jr.
September 25, 1964 Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Louisiana State University (BA) Harvard University (JD) Duke University (LLM) |
George Carol Hanks Jr. (born September 25, 1964) is an important judge in the United States. He works as a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which is a big court in Texas.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Hanks Jr. was born in 1964 in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He was a very good student. In 1986, he graduated first in his class from Louisiana State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree there.
He continued his education at Harvard Law School. In 1989, he earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor. Later, in 2014, he earned another advanced law degree, a Master of Laws, from Duke University Law School.
Legal Career
After law school, George Hanks Jr. started his legal career. From 1989 to 1991, he worked as a law clerk for Judge Sim Lake. A law clerk helps a judge with research and writing.
He then worked at two different law firms. From 1991 to 1996, he was an associate at Fulbright & Jaworski. After that, he became a shareholder at Wickliff & Hall, PC, from 1996 to 2000.
Becoming a Judge in Texas
In 2001, George Hanks Jr. became a judge for the first time. Governor Rick Perry appointed him to be a District Judge in Texas. He was elected to keep this position in 2002.
In 2003, Governor Perry appointed him again. This time, he became a justice for the First Court of Appeals in Texas. He was elected to this role in 2004 and again in 2006.
From 2010 to 2015, he served as a United States magistrate judge. This is another type of judge who helps federal courts with many tasks.
Federal Judicial Service
On September 18, 2014, President Barack Obama chose George Hanks Jr. to become a United States district judge. This was for a court in the Southern District of Texas. He was nominated to take the place of Judge Nancy Atlas.
His nomination was supported by both Senators from Texas, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The process of becoming a federal judge involves many steps. His nomination was sent to the United States Senate.
Confirmation by the Senate
On January 7, 2015, President Obama nominated him again. The Judiciary Committee held a hearing for him on January 21, 2015. This is where senators ask questions about the nominee.
On February 26, 2015, the committee approved his nomination. Finally, on April 20, 2015, the full United States Senate voted to confirm him. The vote was 91 to 0, showing strong support.
He officially became a judge on April 22, 2015. He was assigned to the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas. George Hanks Jr. made history as the first African-American federal judge to serve in the Galveston court.
See also
