Norma Holloway Johnson

Norma Holloway Johnson (July 28, 1932 – September 18, 2011), born Normalie Loyce Holloway, was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the first African-American woman to serve as Chief Judge of a United States District Court.

Norma Holloway Johnson
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
In office June 18, 2001 – December 31, 2003
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
In office March 19, 1997 – June 18, 2001
Preceded by	John Garrett Penn
Succeeded by	Thomas F. Hogan
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
In office May 12, 1980 – June 18, 2001
Appointed by	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	George Luzerne Hart Jr.
Succeeded by	Richard J. Leon
Personal details
Born	Normalie Loyce Holloway (1932-07-28)July 28, 1932 Lake Charles, Louisiana
Died	September 18, 2011(2011-09-18) (aged 79) Lake Charles, Louisiana
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of the District of Columbia (B.S.) Georgetown Law (J.D.)

Education and career

Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Johnson received a Bachelor of Science degree from District of Columbia Teachers College (now the University of the District of Columbia) in 1955 and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law in 1962. She entered private practice in Washington, D.C., and then became a trial attorney at the United States Department of Justice Civil Division from 1963 to 1967. She worked as an assistant corporation counsel (a position later retitled Assistant Attorney General) for the District of Columbia from 1967 to 1970. In 1970, Johnson was appointed by President Richard Nixon to be a judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court.[1]

Federal judicial service

Johnson was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on February 28, 1980, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia vacated by Judge George Luzerne Hart Jr. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 9, 1980, and received her commission on May 12, 1980. She served as Chief Judge from 1997 until June 18, 2001, when she assumed senior status. Johnson served in that capacity until her retirement on December 31, 2003.[1]

Notable rulings

Johnson ruled on Kenneth Starr's probe of the Clinton administration.[2] She also oversaw the conviction of Rita Lavelle on charges of making false statements, obstruction of a congressional investigation, and perjury and sentenced her to prison.[3]

Death

Johnson died September 18, 2011, at her brother's home in her native Lake Charles, following a stroke.[4]

References

1. Norma Holloway Johnson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
2. Cohen, Adam; Viveca Novak (1998-03-16). "The Nonsense Stops Here". TIME. 151 (10): 30. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
3. "Rita Lavelle Sentenced To 6 Months". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1984-01-10. p. 15. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
4. Hevesi, Dennis (21 September 2011). "Norma Holloway Johnson, Judge Who Oversaw Monica Lewinsky Inquiry, Is Dead at 79" – via NYTimes.com.

Sources

• Norma Holloway Johnson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Legal offices
Preceded by George Luzerne Hart Jr.	Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia 1980–2001	Succeeded by Richard J. Leon
Preceded by John Garrett Penn	Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia 1997–2001	Succeeded by Thomas F. Hogan