James B. Parsons

James Benton Parsons (1911-1993) was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Parsons was nominated by President John F. Kennedy on August 10, 1961, to a seat vacated by Philip Leo Sullivan; he was confirmed by the Senate on August 30, 1961, and received his commission that same day. From 1975-1981, he served as the chief judge. He assumed senior status on August 30, 1981. He served the Northern District of Illinois until his death on June 19, 1993.^[1] Parsons was succeeded in this position by Paul Plunkett.

Parsons became the first African American to serve a federal district court when he was appointed in 1961.^[2]

Early life and education

• Millikin University, B.A., 1934
• University of Chicago, M.A., 1946
• University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1949^[1]

Professional career

• U.S. Naval Reserve, 1942-1945
• Private practice, Chicago, Illinois, 1949-1951
• Assistant corporation counsel, Chicago, Illinois, 1949-1951
• Assistant U.S. attorney, Northern District of Illinois, 1951-1960
• Judge, Superior Court of Cook County, Illinois, 1960-1961^[1]

Judicial nominations and appointments

Northern District of Illinois

Parsons was nominated by President John F. Kennedy on August 10, 1961, to a seat vacated by Philip Leo Sullivan; he was confirmed by the Senate on August 30, 1961, and received his commission that same day. From 1975-1981, he served as the chief judge. He assumed senior status on August 30, 1981. He served the Northern District of Illinois until his death on June 19, 1993.^[1] Parsons was succeeded in this position by Paul Plunkett.

External links

• Judge Parson's Biography from the Federal Judicial Center

Footnotes