William Stafford
William Henry Stafford Jr. was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. He joined the court in 1975 after being nominated by President Gerald Ford. From 1981 to 1993, Stafford served as the district court's chief judge. His service ended on July 14, 2025, upon his death.[1]
Early life and education
A native of Masury, Ohio, Stafford graduated from Temple University with his bachelor's degree in 1953 and from Temple University School of Law with his LL.B. in 1956.[2]
Military service
Stafford served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1960.[3]
Professional career
- 1996 - 2025: Senior judge
- 1981-1993: Chief judge
- 1975-1996: Judge
- 1969-1975: U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Florida
- 1967-1969: State attorney, Florida First Judicial Circuit
- 1963: Assistant city attorney, Pensacola, Fla.
- 1961-1969: Private practice, Pensacola, Fla.[3]
Judicial career
Northern District of Florida
Stafford was nominated by President Gerald Ford on April 18, 1975, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida vacated by David Middlebrooks. Stafford was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 12, 1975, and he received his commission on May 14, 1975. Stafford served as the district court's chief judge from 1981 to 1993. Stafford elected to take senior status beginning on May 31, 1996. Stafford was succeeded in this position by Judge Robert Hinkle.[3]
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
Stafford served as a judge on the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1996 to 2003.[3]
See also
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Federal Judicial Center, "Biography of Judge William Henry Stafford, Jr.," accessed September 26, 2025
- ↑ Federal Judicial Center, "Biography of Judge William Henry Stafford, Jr.," accessed July 5, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Cite error: Invalid
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| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: David Middlebrooks |
Northern District of Florida 1975–1996 Seat #2 |
Succeeded by: Robert Hinkle
|
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Active judges |
Chief Judge: Sara LioiChief Judge: Timothy DeGiusti • George Singal • Joan Ericksen • Kenneth Karas • Anthony Trenga • Louis Guirola • Karin J. Immergut • Amit Priyavadan Mehta | ||
| Former judges |
James Zagel • Jennifer Coffman • Thomas Russell • Dennis Saylor • Raymond Dearie • Robert Kugler • Mary McLaughlin • Claire Eagan • Anne Conway • Clyde Roger Vinson • William Stafford • Liam O'Grady • James Jones (Federal judge) • Malcolm Howard • Martin Feldman • Michael Mosman • Thomas Hogan • Rosemary Collyer • Reggie Walton • John Bates • Susan Webber Wright • James E. Boasberg • Rudolph Contreras • John Tharp, Jr. • | ||
| Former chief judges | |||
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 |
Bauer • Bramwell • Cahn • Churchill • Clarke • Cook • Elfvin • Fitzgerald • Flaum • Gerry • Kirkland • Sessions • Torruella • Graafeiland | ||
| 1975 |
Brimmer • Brotman • Grady • Haden • Henley • Higginbotham • Kennedy • Leighton • McNagny • Meskill • O'Conor • Rogers • Shell • Siler • Stafford • Stevens • Thompson • Tjoflat • Wong | ||
| 1976 |
Ackerman • Anderson • Aronovitz • Broderick • Callister • Cohill • Copenhaver • Crowley • Davis • Fay • Goettel • Guy • Haight • Hall • Hill • Ingram • Manos • Munson • Poole • Pratt • Richey • Schwartz • Schwarzer • Sear • Sterling • Takasugi • Waters • Williams • Wood | ||
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida
State courts:
Florida Supreme Court • Florida District Courts of Appeal • Florida Circuit Court • Florida County Court
State resources:
Courts in Florida • Florida judicial elections • Judicial selection in Florida
