Tamara W. Ashford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tamara Ashford
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Judge of the United States Tax Court | |
| Assumed office December 19, 2014 |
|
| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Mary Cohen |
| Acting United States Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division | |
| In office June 6, 2014 – December 19, 2014 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Attorney General | Eric Holder |
| Preceded by | Kathryn M. Keneally |
| Succeeded by | David A. Hubbert (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Tamara Wenda Ashford
December 19, 1968 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Duke University (AB) Vanderbilt University (JD) University of Miami (LLM) |
Tamara Wenda Ashford (born December 19, 1968) is a special kind of judge in the United States. She serves on the United States Tax Court. This court helps people and businesses solve disagreements about their taxes. Before becoming a judge, she worked for the U.S. government, helping with tax laws.
Contents
About Tamara Ashford's Life and Education
Tamara Ashford was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied at three different universities. First, she earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University. Then, she got a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. Later, she earned another advanced law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
Her Early Career in Law
After finishing her studies, Tamara Ashford started her legal career. She worked as a law clerk for a judge in North Carolina. A law clerk helps a judge with research and writing. From 1997 to 2001, she worked for the United States Department of Justice. She was part of the Tax Division, which deals with tax-related legal cases.
Working in Private Practice and Government
After her time at the Department of Justice, Tamara Ashford worked at a private law firm called Miller & Chevalier. This firm is in Washington, D.C. From 2004 to 2007, she worked for the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. This role involved helping to manage the U.S. tax system.
Later, from 2008 to 2011, she worked at another law firm, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. Here, she focused on tax disagreements and lawsuits. From 2011 to 2014, she returned to the Department of Justice. She held a leadership role in the Tax Division, helping to oversee appeals and reviews.
Leading the Tax Division
For a few months in 2014, Tamara Ashford took on an even bigger role. She became the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division. This meant she was temporarily in charge of the entire division. She held this important position until December 2014.
Becoming a Judge on the U.S. Tax Court
The United States Tax Court is a special court. It hears cases where people disagree with the government about their taxes. Judges on this court help make fair decisions.
Nomination by President Obama
On September 18, 2013, President Barack Obama chose Tamara Ashford to be a judge on the U.S. Tax Court. She was nominated to fill a seat left by Judge Mary Ann Cohen. Judge Cohen had moved to a "senior status," which means she took on a less active role.
The Confirmation Process
To become a judge, Tamara Ashford had to be approved by the United States Senate. On January 15, 2014, she spoke to a Senate committee. She told them that her past experiences had prepared her to be a fair and independent judge. She promised to resolve tax cases fairly and quickly.
On February 4, 2014, the committee approved her nomination. Finally, on November 20, 2014, the Senate confirmed her by a voice vote. This means they approved her without a formal count of votes. She officially became a judge on December 19, 2014.
See also
- United States Tax Court
