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Loretta Copeland Biggs
Loretta Biggs.jpg
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

(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 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.

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.

See also

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