Scovel Richardson (February 4, 1912 – March 30, 1982) was a judge of the United States Customs Court and the United States Court of International Trade. Richardson was one of the first Black Federal judges in the United States. [1]

Scovel Richardson
Judge of the United States Court of International Trade
In office
November 1, 1980 – March 30, 1982
Appointed byoperation of law
Preceded bySeat established by 94 Stat. 1727
Succeeded byGregory W. Carman
Judge of the United States Customs Court
In office
April 8, 1957 – November 1, 1980
Appointed byDwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded byWilliam A. Ekwall
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Personal details
Born
Scovel Richardson

(1912-02-04)February 4, 1912
Nashville, Tennessee
DiedMarch 30, 1982(1982-03-30) (aged 70)
New Rochelle, New York
EducationUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–
Champaign
(AB, AM)
Howard University School of Law (JD)

Education and career

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Born on February 4, 1912, in Nashville, Tennessee, Richardson received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1934 from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and an Artium Magister degree in 1936 from the same institution. He received a Juris Doctor in 1937 from the Howard University School of Law. Richardson entered private practice in Chicago, Illinois, from 1938 to 1939. He was an associate professor of law at Lincoln University School of Law from 1939 to 1943. He served as a senior attorney at the Office of Price Administration from 1943 to 1944. He served as dean and professor of law at Lincoln University School of Law from 1944 to 1953. He served as a member of the United States Board of Parole from 1953 to 1957 and served as chair of the United States Board of Parole from 1954 to 1957.[2]

Federal judicial service

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Richardson was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on March 4, 1957, to a seat on the United States Customs Court vacated by Judge William A. Ekwall. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 4, 1957, and received his commission on April 8, 1957. Richardson was reassigned by operation of law to the United States Court of International Trade on November 1, 1980, to a new seat authorized by 94 Stat. 1727. His service terminated on March 30, 1982, due to his death in New Rochelle, New York. He was succeeded by Judge Gregory W. Carman.[2]

Personal Life

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In 1942 in St. Louis, Richardson's purchase of a home led to a legal case over a restrictive covenant.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rothstein, Richard (2017). The Color of Law:A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. New York: Liveright Publishing Corp. p. 104. ISBN 9781631494536.
  2. ^ a b Scovel Richardson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ^ Rothstein, Richard (2017). The Color of Law:A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. New York: Liveright Publishing Corp. p. 104. ISBN 9781631494536.

Sources

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Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States Customs Court
1957–1980
Succeeded by
Seat abolished
Preceded by
Seat established by 94 Stat. 1727
Judge of the United States Court of International Trade
1980–1982
Succeeded by