James Robertson (judge) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Robertson
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| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia | |
| In office December 31, 2008 – June 1, 2010 |
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| Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia | |
| In office October 11, 1994 – December 31, 2008 |
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| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | George Hughes Revercomb |
| Succeeded by | Robert L. Wilkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 18, 1938 Cleveland, Ohio |
| Died | September 7, 2019 (aged 81) Washington, D.C. |
| Spouse | Berit Persson (m. 1959) |
| Education | Princeton University (B.A.) George Washington University Law School (LL.B.) |
James Robertson (born May 18, 1938 – died September 7, 2019) was an important American judge. He served as a federal judge in Washington, D.C., from 1994 until he retired in 2010. Judge Robertson was also part of a special court called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA Court). He left this court in 2005 because he disagreed with the government's secret wiretapping program.
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Early Life and Education
James Robertson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 18, 1938. His dad was a banker, and his mom was a social worker. He grew up in Ohio and went to Western Reserve Academy for high school.
He then went to Princeton University and graduated in 1959. He studied there with a scholarship from the Navy.
After college, Robertson joined the United States Navy. He served from 1959 to 1964 and became a lieutenant. He worked on a special Navy ship called a destroyer, which helps detect things like submarines. He held different jobs on the ship, including deck officer and gunnery officer.
For his last two years in the Navy, he worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence at The Pentagon. At the same time, he went to George Washington University Law School at night. After leaving the Navy, he finished his law degree and became the editor-in-chief of the school's law review. He earned his law degree in 1965.
Legal Career
After law school, James Robertson worked as a lawyer in Washington, D.C.. He was part of a law firm called Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering from 1965 to 1994.
For three years (1969-1972), he worked for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. This group helps protect the civil rights of people. He was the chief lawyer in Mississippi and then the national director in Washington, D.C.
In 1973, he became a partner at his law firm. He also led the District of Columbia Bar, which is an organization for lawyers in D.C.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On September 14, 1994, President Bill Clinton chose James Robertson to be a judge. He was nominated for a position on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. This court handles important cases in the nation's capital.
A group called the American Bar Association checked his qualifications. They gave him their highest rating, calling him "well qualified." The United States Senate then approved him on October 7, 1994. He officially became a judge a few days later.
Leaving the FISA Court
In 2002, Judge Robertson was also appointed to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA Court). This special court reviews requests for surveillance (like wiretaps) related to national security.
On December 20, 2005, Judge Robertson resigned from the FISA Court. He sent a letter to the Chief Justice of the United States explaining his decision. He resigned to protest a secret government program. This program involved the National Security Agency (NSA) listening in on people without getting permission from the FISA Court. This program was revealed by the New York Times just a week before his resignation.
Later, in 2013, Judge Robertson explained that he believed the government's actions went around the law. He also criticized changes made to the FISA law in 2008. These changes allowed the FISA Court to approve collecting large amounts of data, not just individual warrants. He felt this made the court act more like a government agency, which he thought was not the right role for a judge.
Judge Robertson believed it was important for the FISA Court to hear arguments from both sides, not just the government. He said that judges need to hear different points of view to make the best decisions. In 2015, a new law called the USA Freedom Act allowed the FISA Court to get advice from independent lawyers. Judge Robertson thought this was a good step.
Important Rulings
Judge Robertson made several important decisions during his time on the bench:
- Hamdan v. Rumsfeld: This case was about a prisoner held by the U.S. military. Judge Robertson ruled that the military could not hold a special trial unless it was clear the prisoner was not a prisoner of war. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with his decision in 2006.
- American Council of the Blind v. Snow: In 2006, Judge Robertson ruled that U.S. paper money was unfair to blind and visually impaired people. He said that the government needed to design money that was easier for them to tell apart. He pointed out that most other countries have different sized or colored bills.
- Schroer v. Billington: This case involved a transgender employee. In 2006, Judge Robertson ruled that treating someone unfairly because they are transgender might be against the law that prevents discrimination based on sex. After a trial in 2008, he ruled that the employee's rights were indeed violated.
Retirement and Later Life
After serving for 14 years, Judge Robertson retired from the District Court on June 1, 2010. After retiring, he worked as a mediator and arbitrator, helping people solve legal disputes. He also wrote articles for the Washington Post.
James Robertson passed away on September 7, 2019, at the age of 81, in Washington, D.C.. He died due to heart disease.
Personal Life
James Robertson married Berit Persson in 1959. They had three children and six grandchildren. He lived in Maryland and later in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
