Preceded by John Penn Succeeded by Richard Leon Succeeded by Thomas Hogan Name Norma Johnson | Appointed by Jimmy Carter Role Judge Preceded by George Hart Political party Democratic Party | |
Born July 28, 1932
Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. ( 1932-07-28 ) Alma mater University of the District of Columbia
Georgetown University Died September 18, 2011, Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Education University of the District of Columbia, Georgetown University Law Center | ||
Norma Holloway Johnson (July 28, 1932 – September 18, 2011), born Normalie Loyce Holloway, was a United States federal judge, and the first African-American woman to serve as a US District Court Chief Judge.
Biography
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, she received a B.S. from District of Columbia Teachers College in 1955 and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center 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 to be a judge on the District of Columbia Superior Court. 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 George L. Hart. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 9, 1980, and received her commission on May 12, 1980.
Johnson ruled on Kenneth Starr's probe of the Clinton administration. She also cited Rita Lavelle for contempt of court and sentenced her to prison. 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.
Johnson died Sunday, September 18, 2011, at her brother's home in her native Lake Charles, following a stroke. She was 79 years old.