Preceded by Alex Kozinski Appointed by Bill Clinton | Preceded by Dorothy Nelson Name Sidney Thomas | |
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Born August 14, 1953 (age 70) Bozeman, Montana, U.S. ( 1953-08-14 ) Alma mater Montana State University, BozemanUniversity of Montana, Missoula Education Montana State University, University of Montana | ||
Sidney Runyan Thomas (born August 14, 1953) is Chief United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His chambers are located in Billings, Montana.
Contents
- Judge Sidney Runyan Thomas Controversy United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Sidney Thomas Chief Judge 9th Circuit Court
- Early life and education
- Professional career
- Ninth Circuit nomination and service
- Notable case
- En banc coordinator
- 2010 Supreme Court vacancy
- Personal
- References
Judge Sidney Runyan Thomas Controversy United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit - Sidney Thomas Chief Judge 9th Circuit Court
Early life and education
Thomas was born in Bozeman, Montana. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Montana State University in 1975 and his Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Montana School of Law in 1978. He was appointed as a student member of the state Board of Regents of Higher Education in 1974 and reappointed in 1976.
Professional career
After graduating from law school, Thomas entered private practice at Moulton, Bellingham, Longo & Mather, a law firm in Billings, Montana. He became a senior partner at Moulton Bellingham, where he specialized in commercial litigation, as well as government, bankruptcy and media law.
Thomas also served as the standing bankruptcy trustee for all bankruptcy cases filed in the Billings Division of the United States District Court for the District of Montana from 1978 until 1981 and served as an adjunct instructor in law at Rocky Mountain College from 1982 to 1995.
Ninth Circuit nomination and service
On July 19, 1995, President Bill Clinton nominated Thomas to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated by Judge Dorothy Wright Nelson. The United States Senate confirmed Thomas in a voice vote on January 2, 1996. Thomas's nomination had been briefly held up by Senator Conrad Burns of Montana, who wanted the nominations of Thomas and A. Wallace Tashima delayed until the passage of a bill to split the Ninth Circuit into two circuits. He received his commission on January 4, 1996. He has served as Chief Judge since December 1, 2014, succeeding Judge Alex Kozinski.
Notable case
Judge Thomas authored the opinion in Nadarajah v. Gonzales, a 2006 civil rights case.
En banc coordinator
Judge Thomas is the en banc coordinator for the Ninth Circuit, with parliamentarian type duties that can affect the outcome of any case. "I've never known one of his rulings to be challenged," the Ninth Circuit's Chief Judge, Alex Kozinski, has said. "I think it's a tribute to his evenhandedness that he's been on the job for many years, and nobody wants a different en banc coordinator."
2010 Supreme Court vacancy
Senior White House officials listed Judge Thomas among approximately 10 individuals considered to replace retiring United States Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens. On April 29, 2010, the Associated Press reported that President Obama interviewed Thomas at the White House. Vice President Joe Biden also interviewed him. Obama eventually nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan.
Personal
Thomas is married to Martha Sheehy, a Billings, Montana attorney who has practiced law since 1988.