James Lopez Watson

James Lopez Watson (May 21, 1922 – September 1, 2001) was a judge for the United States Court of International Trade. While serving as a judge around the country, Watson became the first African-American to head a federal court in the Deep South.^[1][2]

Biography

Watson was born on May 21, 1922, in Harlem, New York City, the son of James S. Watson and his wife Violet. During World War II he fought in Italy with the Army from 1943 to 1945, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 1947 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1951.^[3] He practiced law in New York City.

Watson was a member of the New York State Senate (21st D.) from 1955 to 1963, sitting in the 170th, 171st, 172nd, 173rd and 174th New York State Legislatures. In November 1963, he was elected to the New York City Civil Court.^[4]

On January 19, 1966 President Johnson nominated Watson to serve as a Judge for the United States Customs Court, to the seat vacated by Judge Jed Johnson. On March 7, 1966, he was confirmed by the Senate and received his commission on March 7, 1966. On November 1, 1980, he was transferred by operation of law to the newly created United States Court of International Trade. He took senior status on February 28, 1991, and served in that capacity until his death. He was succeeded by Judge Donald C. Pogue. Because judges of that court are periodically assigned to federal courts around the country, Watson became the first African-American judge to head a federal court in the Deep South.^[5][6]

Watson died on September 1, 2001 from cancer in New York City.^[7] In 2003, the courthouse at 1 Federal Plaza in Manhattan was renamed the James L. Watson United States Court of International Trade Building in his honor.^[8]

Notes

References

• James Lopez Watson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.