Alexander Travis Howard Jr. (July 9, 1924 – February 10, 2011) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.

Alex T. Howard Jr.
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
In office
October 21, 1996 – February 10, 2011
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
In office
1989–1994
Preceded byWilliam Brevard Hand
Succeeded byCharles R. Butler Jr.
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
In office
October 14, 1986 – October 21, 1996
Appointed byRonald Reagan
Preceded bySeat established by 98 Stat. 333
Succeeded byCallie V. Granade
Personal details
Born
Alexander Travis Howard Jr.

(1924-07-09)July 9, 1924
Mobile, Alabama
DiedFebruary 10, 2011(2011-02-10) (aged 86)
Mobile, Alabama
EducationVanderbilt University Law School (LL.B.)

Education and career

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Born in Mobile, Alabama,[1] Howard was in the United States Army during World War II, from 1943 to 1946, and then received a Bachelor of Laws from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1950. He was a United States Probation Officer from 1950 to 1951, and was in private practice in Mobile from 1951 to 1986. He was a Commissioner for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama from 1956 to 1970.[2]

Federal judicial service

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On September 23, 1986, Howard was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 1986 and received his commission on October 14, 1986. He served as Chief Judge from 1989 to 1994, assuming senior status on October 21, 1996.[2] Howard died in Mobile and was buried at Pine Crest Cemetery.[3]

Notable case

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He presided over the Southern Poverty Law Center vs United Klans of America civil trial when an all-white jury ordered the Klan to pay $7 million to the family of a young black man who was lynched in Mobile in 1981.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "The Alabama Lawyer" (PDF). 73 (2). Alabama State Bar Association. March 2012: 104–105. Retrieved June 19, 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ a b Alex T. Howard Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ^ a b "Alex Howard, former federal judge, dies in Mobile at 86". Press-Register. Mobile, Alabama. February 10, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
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Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 98 Stat. 333
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
1986–1996
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
1989–1994
Succeeded by