John Godbold

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John Godbold

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Nonpartisan

Prior offices
United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

Education

Bachelor's

Auburn University, 1940

Law

Harvard Law, 1948

Personal
Birthplace
Alabama


John Cooper Godbold (1920-2009) is a former Federal Appeals judge with the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Godbold was serving on senior status when he died on December 22, 2009.[1]

Early life and education

A native of Alabama, Godbold graduated from Auburn University with his bachelor's degree in 1940 before graduating from Harvard Law School with his juris doctorate degree in 1948. Godbold was also a U.S. Army Major as a Division Artillery Headquarters Specialist from 1941 to 1946.[2]

Professional career

Godbold served as a private practice attorney licensed in the State of Alabama from 1948 to 1966. Godbold also served as Director of the Federal Judicial Center from 1987 to 1990 before becoming a professor of law for Cumberland School of Law at Samford University since 1990.[2]

Awards and associations

  • 1995: Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award, American Judicature Society[3]

Federal judicial career

Fifth Circuit

Godbold was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit by President Lyndon Johnson on June 28, 1966 to a seat vacated by Richard Rives. Godbold was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 22, 1966, on a senate vote and received commission on July 22, 1966. Godbold served as the Chief Judge of the court briefly in 1981 before being transferred to the then-newly created United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.[2]

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

As part of legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan to create a new United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Godbold was reassigned on October 1, 1981. Godbold served as the Chief Judge of the court from 1981 to 1986 before assuming senior status on October 23, 1987. He continued to serve the court until his death on December 22, 2009.[2]


Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by:
Richard Rives
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
1966–1981
Succeeded by:
NA
Preceded by:
NA - reassigned
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
1981–2009
Succeeded by:
Emmett Cox