Norma Holloway Johnson


Norma Holloway Johnson, born Normalie Loyce Holloway, was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the first African-American woman to serve as Chief Judge of a United States District Court.

Education and career

Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Johnson received a Bachelor of Science degree from District of Columbia Teachers College in 1955 and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law in 1962. She entered private practice in Washington, D.C., and then became a trial attorney at the United States Department of Justice Civil Division from 1963 to 1967. She worked as an assistant corporation counsel for the District of Columbia from 1967 to 1970. In 1970, Johnson was appointed by President Richard Nixon to be a judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court.

Federal judicial service

Johnson was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on February 28, 1980, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia vacated by Judge George Luzerne Hart Jr. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 9, 1980, and received her commission on May 12, 1980. She served as Chief Judge from 1997 until June 18, 2001, when she assumed senior status. Johnson served in that capacity until her retirement on December 31, 2003.

Notable rulings

Johnson ruled on Kenneth Starr's probe of the Clinton administration. She also oversaw the conviction of Rita Lavelle on charges of making false statements, obstruction of a congressional investigation, and perjury and sentenced her to prison.

Death

Johnson died September 18, 2011, at her brother's home in her native Lake Charles, following a stroke.