Thomas Virgil Pittman

Thomas Virgil Pittman
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
In office July 15, 1981 – January 6, 2012
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
In office 1971–1981
Preceded by	Daniel Holcombe Thomas
Succeeded by	William Brevard Hand
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
In office June 29, 1966 – June 2, 1970
Appointed by	Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded by	Seat established by 80 Stat. 75
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
In office June 29, 1966 – July 15, 1981
Appointed by	Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded by	Seat established by 80 Stat. 75
Succeeded by	Emmett Ripley Cox
Personal details
Born	Thomas Virgil Pittman (1916-03-28)March 28, 1916 Enterprise, Alabama
Died	January 6, 2012(2012-01-06) (aged 95) Mobile, Alabama
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Alabama (B.S.) University of Alabama School of Law (LL.B.)

Thomas Virgil Pittman (March 28, 1916 – January 6, 2012) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.

Education and career

Born in Enterprise, Alabama, Pittman was in the United States Army Reserve during World War II, from 1938 to 1942. During this time, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama in 1939 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1940. He was a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1940 to 1944, and was a United States Naval Reserve officer towards the end of World War II, from 1944 to 1946. He entered private practice in Gadsden, Alabama from 1946 to 1951, becoming a Circuit Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama from 1951 to 1953, and Presiding Judge of that circuit from 1953 to 1966. He was also a lecturer at the University of Alabama Center at Gadsden from 1948 to 1966.

Federal judicial service

Pittman was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on June 13, 1966, to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, to a new joint seat authorized by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 29, 1966, and received his commission on June 29, 1966. His service on the Middle District terminated on June 2, 1970, due to reassignment. He served as Chief Judge of the Southern District from 1971 to 1981. He assumed senior status on July 15, 1981. His service terminated on January 6, 2012, due to his death in Mobile, Alabama.

External links

• Thomas Virgil Pittman at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.