Name Ralph Nimmons, | Role Judge | |
Preceded by new seat authorized by 104 Stat. 5089 Alma mater University of FloridaUniversity of Florida College of Law Education Fredric G. Levin College of Law, University of Florida | ||
Ralph Wilson Nimmons Jr. (September 14, 1938 – November 24, 2003) was an American lawyer and judge.
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Early life and education
Nimmons was born in 1938 in Dallas, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 from the University of Florida and his J.D. in 1963 from the University of Florida College of Law. He was a committed Christian and loving family man. His father was Ralph "Pappy" Nimmons, a radio and TV pioneer who was in station management at WFAA in Dallas and WTLV in Jacksonville.
Professional career
Nimmons was in private practice in Jacksonville from 1963 to 1965. He served as assistant public defender in Jacksonville from 1965 to 1969 and assistant Florida state attorney from 1969 to 1971. Nimmons served as assistant general counsel to the City of Jacksonville in 1971 to 1973. In 1973, Nimmons returned to private practice in Jacksonville.
Nimmons served as a judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida from 1977 to 1983. He served as a judge of the Florida First District Court of Appeal from 1983 to 1991.
Failed federal district court nomination
On September 17, 1980, President Carter nominated Nimmons to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. With the nomination coming so late in a presidential election year, senators did not proceed with Nimmons' nomination, and President Reagan chose not to renominate Nimmons to the seat after he was inaugurated.
Federal judicial service
President George H.W. Bush nominated Nimmons to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on May 23, 1991, to a new seat created by 104 Stat. 5089. Confirmed by the Senate on June 27, 1991, he received commission on July 2, 1991.
Nimmons remained on the court until his death in Jacksonville in 2003.