James R. Spencer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Randolph Spencer
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| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | |
| In office March 25, 2014 – June 2, 2017 |
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| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | |
| In office 2004–2011 |
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| Preceded by | Claude M. Hilton |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca Beach Smith |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | |
| In office October 14, 1986 – March 25, 2014 |
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| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | John Ashton MacKenzie |
| Succeeded by | M. Hannah Lauck |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Randolph Spencer
1949 (age 75–76) Florence, South Carolina |
| Education | Clark College (BA) Harvard University (JD) Howard University (MDiv) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1975-1978, 1981-1986 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | J.A.G. Corps |
James Randolph Spencer, born in 1949, is a former judge who worked for the United States government in Virginia. He served as a federal judge for many years.
Early Life and Education
James Spencer was born in Florence, South Carolina in 1949. He went to Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1971, he earned a degree called a Bachelor of Arts.
He then studied law at Harvard Law School, getting his law degree in 1974. After law school, he joined the U.S. Army's J.A.G. Corps as a captain. He worked there from 1975 to 1978.
After leaving active military duty, he became an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C. This means he was a lawyer who worked for the U.S. government. He held this job from 1978 to 1983.
He also continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Military Judge from 1981 to 1986. From 1983 to 1986, he worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in Virginia. In 1985, he earned another degree, a Master of Divinity, from Howard University.
Becoming a Federal Judge
President Ronald Reagan chose James Spencer to be a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on September 9, 1986. The United States Senate approved his nomination on October 8, 1986. He officially became a judge on October 14, 1986.
Judge Spencer made history as the first African American to become a federal judge in Virginia. From 2004 to 2011, he served as the Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Virginia. This meant he was the main judge in charge of that court. Rebecca Beach Smith took over as Chief Judge after him.
On March 25, 2014, Judge Spencer took on a role called senior status. This means he continued to work as a judge but with a reduced caseload. He fully retired from his active duties on June 2, 2017.
Important Cases
Judge Spencer oversaw a well-known trial involving former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife. This was a very public case in the court. The Supreme Court later reviewed parts of this case in 2016.
Personal Life
James Spencer's wife, Margaret Spencer, is also a judge. She works for the Richmond Virginia Circuit Court.
See also
- List of African-American federal judges
- List of African-American jurists
- List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Virginia
