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James Moody Jr. (Arkansas federal court judge)
2014 - Present
11
James "Jay" Moody is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Prior to joining the court he was a judge on the Sixth Circuit Court in Arkansas.[1] In July of 2013, President Obama nominated Moody for a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.[2] Moody's father, James M. Moody Sr., was a senior judge for United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The senior Moody retired on March 7, 2014, as required by federal law, when his son was confirmed by Senate.[3] Moody was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 25, 2014, on a vote of 95-4.[4]
Education
Moody attended the University of Arkansas, earning his B.S.B.A. in 1986 and his J.D. in 1989.[5]
Professional career
- 2003-2014: Circuit Judge, Arkansas 6th Judicial Circuit
- 1994-2003: Partner, Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP
- 1989-1994: Associate, Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP
- 1987: Law clerk, Wilson, Engstrom, Corum & Dudley[5]
Judicial career
District of Eastern District of Arkansas
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: James Moody Jr. |
| Court: Eastern District of Arkansas |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 215 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: July 25, 2013
|
| ABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: September 25, 2013
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: January 16, 2014 November 14, 2013
|
| Confirmed: February 25, 2014
|
| Vote: 95-4
|
On July 25, 2013, President Obama nominated James Moody to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas to fill the vacancy left by Susan Webber Wright.[2] Obama commented on the nomination, stating:
| “ | These men and women have had distinguished legal careers and I am honored to ask them to continue their work as judges on the federal bench. They will serve the American people with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice.[5][6] | ” |
Moody was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by the American Bar Association.
Moody's nomination was returned by the Senate on January 3, 2014, and he was renominated on January 6th by President Obama.[7]
Moody's nomination was reported to the full Senate on January 16, 2014, after a voice vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee.[8] Moody was confirmed by the Senate on February 25, 2014, on a vote of 95-4.[4]
Reaction to confirmation In a joint statement by Arkansas Senators:
| “ | Judge Moody’s legal career demonstrates his pursuit of justice. I believe his experience makes him a great fit for U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas and I am confident that he will continue to pursue the interest of the law during his service on the bench. | ” |
| —Senator John Boozman R-Ark. | ||
| “ | Arkansas only has eight U.S. District Judges, and we’ve been waiting months now for two outstanding, and non-controversial, candidates to be confirmed. I’m pleased my colleagues have finally allowed Judge Moody’s confirmation to go through.
As I’ve said from the beginning of this process, Judge Moody not only meets, but exceeds the qualities we want in our judges. He’s well-qualified, he’s fair and impartial, and he has the proper judicial temperament. I’m confident he will serve our state with distinction. [6] |
” |
| —Senator Mark Pryor D-Ark. | ||
Awards and associations
Awards
- 2009: Pulaski County Bar Association President's Award
- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013: Pulaski County Judge of the Year
- 2003: Graduate of the National Judicial College General Jurisdiction
- 2002: Leadership Greater Little Rock
- 2002: Arkansas Business 40 Under 40
- 1991: Graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy
Associations
- 2007-Present: One-Tenth Voting Shareholder, Circle S Ranch, Inc.
- 2007-Present: One-Tenth Voting Shareholder, Little Prairie Land Compnay
- 2007-Present: Little Rock Racquet Club
- 2003-Present: Arkansas Judicial Counsel
- 2003-2009: The Country Club of Little Rock
- 1997-Present: Managing Member, Moody's Manor, LLC
- 1997-2005: Moody's Chickens, LLC
- 1995-2009: William R. Overton Inns of Court
- 1991-1995: Bailes Best Made Pet Food
- 1989-2003: Defense Research Institute
- 1989-2003: Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel[10]
Noteworthy cases
Judge approves fraud settlement in Flying J case (2013)
U.S. District Court Judge James Moody approved a settlement between Pilot Flying J truck stops (“Flying J”) and trucking companies after the trucking companies filed suit claiming Flying J promised rebates that never materialized. The settlement totaled $84.9 million. Employees of Flying J’s sales staff are accused of cheating trucking companies out of rebates. Training sessions supposedly occurred to teach the sales staff how to go about defrauding the trucking companies without detection. There is a federal criminal investigation, as well, leading to several employees entering guilty pleas.
Flying J is owned by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and his brother.
Articles:
See also
External links
- Arkansas Judiciary, "Circuit Judge Information, James Moody"
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Footnotes
- ↑ Arkansas Judiciary, "Sixth Circuit Judiciary Directory"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate," 7/25/2013
- ↑ Daily Journal, "Federal judge in Little Rock pledges to conform to retirement rule if son appointed to bench," September 15, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Senate.gov, "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress - 2nd Session," accessed February 25, 2014
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 White House, "President Obama Nominates Six to Serve on the United States District Court," 7/25/2013
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate," January 7, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Judicial Nomination Materials: 113th Congress," accessed January 17, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 UALR, "Moody Confirmed As Federal Judge For Eastern Arkansas," February 25, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Questions for Judicial Candidates," accessed November 21, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas 2014-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Nominated | |||
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas
State courts:
Arkansas Supreme Court • Arkansas Court of Appeals • Arkansas Circuit Courts • Arkansas District Courts • Arkansas City Courts
State resources:
Courts in Arkansas • Arkansas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Arkansas
