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
Incumbent
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
Associate Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals
In office January 2001 – January 2003
Appointed by	Jim Hunt
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 (1954-03-06) March 6, 1954 (age 71) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Spelman College (BA) Howard University (JD)

Loretta Yvonne Copeland Biggs, born on March 6, 1954, is a very important judge in the United States. She serves as a senior United States district judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. This means she helps make big decisions in federal cases for a part of North Carolina.

Early Life and Education

Loretta Biggs was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She worked hard in school. In 1976, she graduated with honors from Spelman College. After that, she went to Howard University School of Law. In 1979, she earned her law degree, called a Juris Doctor.

A Career in Law

Loretta Biggs has had a long and impressive career in law.

• Working for a Big Company: From 1979 to 1982, she was a lawyer for The Coca-Cola Company.
• Helping the Community: She then became an assistant district attorney in Forsyth County. This means she helped the government bring cases against people who broke the law. She did this from 1984 to 1987.
• Becoming a Judge: From 1987 to 1994, she served as a district court judge. This was her first time serving as a judge.
• Teaching Law: While working as a district attorney, she also taught law. She was a professor at Wake Forest University School of Law from 1984 to 1987.
• Working for the U.S. Government: In 1994, she joined the United States Attorney's Office. This office represents the U.S. government in legal matters. From 1997 to 2001, she was the executive assistant United States attorney.
• Appeals Court Judge: From 2001 to 2002, Governor Jim Hunt appointed her to be a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts.
• Private Law Practice: After her time on the appeals court, Judge Biggs worked in private law firms. She was a managing partner at one firm, which means she helped run the business. She worked in private practice until she became a federal judge.

Becoming a Federal Judge

In 2014, President Barack Obama chose Loretta Biggs to become a federal judge. This was a very important nomination.

• The Nomination Process: She had a hearing with the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. This committee checks if a person is right for the job.
• Confirmation: In December 2014, the Senate voted to approve her nomination. This is called a "voice vote," where senators say "aye" or "nay" out loud.
• Starting Her Role: She officially became a federal judge on December 19, 2014.
• Senior Status: On December 31, 2024, she took on "senior status." This means she can still hear cases but with a reduced workload.
• A Historic Achievement: Judge Biggs made history! She is the first black woman to serve as a federal district court judge in North Carolina.

See also

• List of African-American federal judges
• List of African-American jurists