Roger Vinson
The Honorable Clyde Roger Vinson (b. 1940) is a senior federal judge in Florida's northern district.
Born on February 19, 1940 in Cadiz, Kentucky, Vinson attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in engineering. He served in Pensacola as a Naval aviator from 1962-1968, attaining the rank of lieutenant. After his service, he attended Vanderbilt University and received his J.D. in 1971.
Returning to Pensacola, Vinson joined the firm of Beggs & Lane, where he practiced general civil law from 1971-1983. He was nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan on September 9, 1983 to a seat vacated by Lynn C. Higby, was confirmed by the Senate on October 4, and received his commission a day later. Among the notable cases he has presided over:
- 1985 – Four defendants of Christmas 1984 abortion bombings[1]
- 1988 – Escambia County ordinance banning The Last Temptation of Christ[2]
- 1993 – Shoney's $134 million race discrimination settlement[3]
- 1994 – Paul Hill (federal Clinic Access Law charges)[4]
Vinson was chief judge from 1997 to 2004. He assumed senior status on March 31, 2005.
He was appointed to serve a seven-year term on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, effective May 4, 2006.[5]
Judge Vinson lives in East Hill with his wife Ellen. He has five children, including two from a previous marriage and two stepchildren. He is a past president of the Pensacola Camellia Club and president of the American Camellia Society.
References
- ↑ "2 of 4 Are Guilty of Clinic Bombing." New York Times, April 25, 1985.
- ↑ "Judge Overturns Ban on Film." New York Times, September 11, 1988.
- ↑ "Shoney's Bias Suit Settled." New York Times, January 28, 1993.
- ↑ "Abortion Protester Is Guilty Under Clinic Access Law." New York Times, October 6, 1994.
- ↑ New FISA Court Judge Appointed
