William Osteen
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2007 - Present
17
William Lindsay Osteen, Jr. is an Article III federal judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. He joined the court in 2007 after being nominated by President George W. Bush. He filled the seat previously held by his father William Osteen, Sr.[1] On November 1, 2012, Osteen became the chief judge of the court. He served in this position until 2017.[2]
Early life and education
Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Osteen received his bachelor's degree in 1983 and his Juris Doctor degree in 1987, both from the University of North Carolina.[3]
Professional career
Osteen was a private practice attorney in North Carolina from 1987 to 2007.[3]
Judicial career
Middle District of North Carolina
On the recommendation of North Carolina U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, Osteen was nominated to the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina by President George W. Bush on January 9, 2007, to a seat vacated by William Osteen, Sr. as the elder Osteen retired from judicial service. Osteen was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 10, 2007 on a Senate vote and received commission on September 19, 2007. He served as chief judge of the court from 2012 to 2017.[3][4]
Noteworthy cases
Andrew Giuliani sues Duke University (2010)
- See also: United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina ((dead link) Andrew Giuliani v. Duke University, and Orrin Daniel Vincent III, US 1:08CV502)
- See also: United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina ((dead link) Andrew Giuliani v. Duke University, and Orrin Daniel Vincent III, US 1:08CV502)
Judge Osteen dismissed a lawsuit filed by Andrew Guiliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani. Guiliani sued Duke University over what he perceived was a breach of contract between himself and the university over student-athlete policies. The judge found that the statements presented by Guiliani were inconsistent leading to the dismissal of the lawsuit.[5]
North Carolina congressional maps deemed gerrymandered (2018)
On January 9, 2018, the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina ruled that North Carolina's congressional maps demonstrated gerrymandering. Judge James Wynn wrote the opinion of the panel, joined by Judge Earl Britt. The judges held that the state's congressional maps had been unconstitutionally gerrymandered and ordered the General Assembly of North Carolina to redraw new district lines for use in the 2018 midterm elections. The court ruled:
| “ | We agree with Plaintiffs that a wealth of evidence proves the General Assembly’s intent to 'subordinate' the interests of non-Republican voters and 'entrench' Republican domination of the state’s congressional delegation. In particular, we find that the following evidence proves the General Assembly’s discriminatory intent: (a) the facts and circumstances surrounding the drawing and enactment of the 2016 Plan; (b) empirical analyses of the 2016 Plan; and (c) the discriminatory partisan intent motivating the 2011 Plan, which the General Assembly expressly sought to carry forward when it drew the 2016 Plan.[6][7] | ” |
Judge William Osteen concurred in the judgment but wrote separately. Osteen wrote:
| “ | I concur with the well-reasoned opinion of the majority...However, in keeping with the standard established by the Supreme Court for racial gerrymandering claims, I would require Plaintiffs to prove that partisanship was the predominant factor motivating the General Assembly’s decision to draw the 2016 Plan as it did. Because I agree that Plaintiffs met their burden, and also agree that Defendants have not justified the effects of the 2016 Plan, I concur with the majority’s conclusion that the Plan violates the Equal Protection Clause.[6][7] | ” |
See also
External links
- The Robing Room- Rate Judge Osteen
- Judge William Osteen Jr. FJC Bio from the Federal Judicial Center
Footnotes
- ↑ News Record "Retired Judge Osteen has died," August 10, 2009
- ↑ United States Judicial Branch, Third Branch News: 2/12/2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Judge William Osteen Jr. FJC Bio from the Federal Judicial Center.
- ↑ [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ntquery/D?nomis:1:./temp/ nomisBEffVU:: The Library of Congress, William Osteen Jr., USDC, MDNC confirmation:PN25-110]
- ↑ NY Daily News "Judge tosses Rudy Giuliani son Andrew Giuliani's suit over getting boot from Duke golf team," March 30, 2010
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brennan Center, "Common Cause v. Rucho" and "League of Women Voters v. Rucho" Opinion, January 9, 2018
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina 2007-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Active judges | |||
| Senior judges |
Norwood Tilley • Catherine Eagles • Loretta Copeland Biggs • | ||
| Magistrate judges | L. Patrick Auld • Joi Elizabeth Peake • Joe L. Webster • | ||
| Former Article III judges |
James Beaty • Johnson Jay Hayes • Frank Bullock • Richard Erwin • Eugene Gordon • William Osteen, Sr. • Lunsford Preyer • Edwin Stanley • Hiram Ward • | ||
| Former Chief judges |
Norwood Tilley • Frank Bullock • Richard Erwin • Eugene Gordon • Edwin Stanley • Hiram Ward • | ||
 |
State of North Carolina Raleigh (capital) |
|---|---|
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