James R. Spencer

Born 1949 in Florence, SC

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on September 9, 1986, to a seat vacated by John A. MacKenzie. Confirmed by the Senate on October 8, 1986, and received commission on October 14, 1986. Served as chief judge, 2004-2011. Assumed senior status on March 25, 2014.

Education:
Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), B.A., 1971
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1974
Howard University, M.Div., 1985

Professional Career:
U.S. Army captain, JAG Corps, 1975-1978
Assistant U.S. attorney, District of Columbia, 1978-1983
U.S. Army Reserve military judge, 1981-1986
Assistant U.S. attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, 1983-1986
Adjunct professor of law, University of Virginia, 1987-

Adjunct professor of law

University of Virginia

1987 - Current

Judge

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

1986 - Current

Served as chief judge, 2004-2011. Assumed senior status on March 25, 2014.

Assistant U.S. attorney

Eastern District of Virginia

1983 - 1986

military judge

U.S. Army Reserve

1981 - 1986

Assistant U.S. attorney

District of Columbia

1978 - 1983

captain

U.S. Army, JAG Corps

1975 - 1978

Howard University

M.Div. (1985)

Harvard Law School

J.D. (1974)

Clark Atlanta University

B.A. (1971)