Loretta Copeland Biggs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loretta Copeland Biggs
|
|
---|---|
![]() |
|
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina | |
Assumed office December 31, 2024 |
|
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina | |
In office December 19, 2014 – December 31, 2024 |
|
Appointed by | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | James A. Beaty Jr. |
Succeeded by | vacant |
Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals | |
In office February 1, 2001 – December 31, 2002 |
|
Appointed by | Jim Hunt |
Preceded by | Seat established |
Succeeded by | Sanford L. Steelman Jr. |
Judge of the 21st Judicial District Court of North Carolina | |
In office 1987–1994 |
|
Appointed by | James G. Martin |
Personal details | |
Born |
Loretta Yvonne Copeland
March 6, 1954 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Spelman College (BA) Howard University (JD) |
Loretta Yvonne Copeland Biggs was born on March 6, 1954. She is a very experienced judge who works for the United States government. She serves as a senior district judge in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. This court handles important legal cases in the middle part of North Carolina.
Contents
Loretta Biggs' Early Life and Education
Loretta Biggs was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She worked hard in school and achieved great things.
College and Law School
In 1976, she graduated with honors from Spelman College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree there. Later, in 1979, she received her law degree from Howard University School of Law. This degree is called a Juris Doctor.
Loretta Biggs' Career Journey
After law school, Loretta Biggs began her career in different legal roles. She gained a lot of experience.
Early Legal Work
From 1979 to 1982, she worked as a lawyer for The Coca-Cola Company. Then, she became an assistant district attorney in Forsyth County. She held this position from 1984 to 1987. During this time, she also taught law at Wake Forest University School of Law.
Becoming a Judge
Loretta Biggs became a district court judge in 1987. She served in this role until 1994. After that, she joined the United States Attorney's Office in North Carolina. She worked there from 1994 to 2001. From 1997 to 2001, she was an executive assistant United States attorney.
Serving on the Appeals Court
In 2001, Governor Jim Hunt appointed her as a judge. She served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals until 2002. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts. After her time on the appeals court, she worked in private law firms. She was a managing partner at one firm.
Federal Judicial Service
On September 18, 2014, President Barack Obama chose Loretta Biggs for a very important job. He nominated her to be a United States district judge. This position was for the Middle District of North Carolina.
The Appointment Process
Her nomination went through a review by the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. This happened on November 13, 2014. The committee approved her nomination on December 11, 2014. The full Senate then voted to confirm her on December 16, 2014.
Becoming a Federal Judge
Loretta Biggs officially became a federal judge on December 19, 2014. She made history with this appointment. She is the first African-American woman to serve as a federal district judge in North Carolina. On December 31, 2024, she took on a new role as a senior judge. This means she still works but with a reduced caseload.