James Gilstrap
James Rodney Gilstrap is a federal judge with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. He joined the court in 2011 after a nomination from Barack Obama. From 2018 to 2025, Gilstrap served as chief judge of the court.[1][2]
Early life and education
A native of Pensacola, Florida, Gilstrap earned both his bachelor's degree and his J.D. from Baylor University in 1978 and 1981 respectively.[1]
Professional career
- 2011-Present: Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- 2018-2025: Chief judge
- 1989-2002: Judge, Harrison County, Texas
- 1981-2011: Private practice, Marshall, Texas[1]
Judicial career
Eastern District of Texas
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: James Gilstrap |
| Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 200 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: May 19, 2011
|
| ABA Rating: Unanimously Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: July 27, 2011
|
| Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript |
| QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: September 15, 2011
|
| Confirmed: December 5, 2011
|
| Vote: Voice vote
|
Gilstrap was nominated by President Barack Obama on May 19, 2011, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to a seat vacated by Judge Thad Heartfield. The American Bar Association rated Gilstrap Unanimously Qualified for the nomination. Hearings on Gilstrap's nomination were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 27, 2011, and his nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on September 15, 2011. Gilstrap was confirmed on a voice vote of the U.S. Senate on December 5, 2011, and he received his commission the next day.[1][3][4] From 2018 to 2025, he served as chief judge of the court.[2][1]
See also
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
External links
|
Officeholder United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Federal Judicial Center, "Biography of Judge James Rodney Gilstrap," accessed May 16, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Marshall News Messenger, "Judge Gilstrap assumes role as chief judge," March 4, 2018
- ↑ United States Congress, "PN 565 — James Rodney Gilstrap — The Judiciary," accessed May 16, 2017
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III judicial nominees, 112th Congress," accessed May 16, 2017
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas 2011-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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| Nominated | |||
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State of Texas Austin (capital) |
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