James Larry Edmondson

James Edmondson
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
In office June 1, 2002 – May 31, 2009
Preceded by	Lanier Anderson
Succeeded by	Joel Dubina
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
In office May 7, 1986 – July 15, 2012
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Albert Henderson
Succeeded by	Julie Carnes
Personal details
Born	(1947-07-14) July 14, 1947 Jasper, Georgia, U.S.
Alma mater	Emory University University of Georgia University of Virginia

James Larry Edmondson (born July 14, 1947) is a senior United States federal judge.

Education and early career

Born in Jasper, Georgia, Edmondson received a B.A. from Emory University in 1968, a J.D. from the University of Georgia in 1971, and an M.L. in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia in 1990.

Edmondson clerked for the Hon. Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr., U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia from 1971-1973. He was an attorney in private practice in Jasper, Georgia during 1973, and in Lawrenceville, Georgia from 1973-1986. Edmondson also taught as a law professor at the University of Georgia between 1975-1984.

Federal judicial service

On March 26, 1986, Edmondson was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. vacated by Albert J. Henderson. Edmondson was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 29, 1986, and received his commission on May 7, 1986. He served as chief judge from 2002 to 2009.

In 2000, Edmondson, as part of a 3-judge panel with Judges Joel Fredrick Dubina and Charles R. Wilson, issued the opinion that ultimately led to Elian Gonzalez being sent back to Cuba to be reunited with his father.

Edmondson assumed senior status on July 15, 2012.

Sources

• James Larry Edmondson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.