United States District Court (Judges) for the Eastern District of Virginia:
Chief District Judge James R. Spencer
James R. Spencer was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on September 9, 1986 to the a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 1986 and received his commission on October 14, 1986. He was the first African American to be nominated to this position in this district.
In 1985, Judge Spencer earned a master of divinity degree from Howard University.
In 2004 Judge Spencer became Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Virginia.
District Judge Henry E. Hudson
Hudson is a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Hudson was nominated by President George W. Bush on January 23, 2002, to a new seat created by 114 Stat. 2762. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 1, 2002, and received his commission on August 2, 2002.
Senior District Judge Robert E. Payne
Payne was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Payne was nominated by President George H.W. Bush on November 20, 1991, to a seat vacated by J. Calvitt Clarke, Jr.. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 12, 1992, and received his commission on May 13, 1992. He assumed senior status on May 7, 2007.
Senior District Judge Richard Leroy Williams
Williams was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Williams was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on April 9, 1979, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 29, 1980, and received his commission on September 30, 1980. He assumed senior status on May 1, 1992.
The case was initially assigned to Judge Payne, but he recused himself, and the case was reassigned to Judge Hudson.