Robert Daniel Potter
Robert Daniel Potter | |
|---|---|
| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina | |
| In office May 1, 1994 – July 2, 2009 | |
| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina | |
| In office 1984–1991 | |
| Preceded by | Woodrow W. Jones |
| Succeeded by | Richard Lesley Voorhees |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina | |
| In office October 29, 1981 – May 1, 1994 | |
| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629 |
| Succeeded by | Lacy Thornburg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 4, 1923 Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | July 2, 2009 (aged 86) Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | Stanford University (A.B.) Harvard University (LL.B.) |
Robert Daniel Potter (April 4, 1923 – July 2, 2009) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Education and career
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Potter received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Duke University in 1947. He received a Bachelor of Laws from Duke University School of Law in 1950. He was a second lieutenant in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946.[1] He was in private practice of law in Charlotte, North Carolina from 1951 to 1981. He was a Commissioner of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina from 1966 to 1968.[2]
Federal judicial service
Potter was a campaign worker for Republican Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, who recommended his appointment to the federal bench to President Ronald Reagan.[3]
Potter was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on October 1, 1981, to the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 29, 1981, and received commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1984 to 1991. He assumed senior status on May 1, 1994, serving that status until his death on July 2, 2009, in Charlotte.[2]
Notable cases
Potter was known for sentencing convicted defendants to long terms at or near the maximum, a tendency that won him the nickname "Maximum Bob."
In 1997, in the case of
Other service
Potter was a longtime financial supporter of Christendom College. He raised funds for the college and was a member of its advisory board.[6]
Personal
Potter was
References
- ^ "The Honorable Robert Daniel Potter 4/4/1923 - 7/2/2009", The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, North Carolina, volume 140, number 184, July 3, 2009, page 5B. (subscription required)
- ^ a b Robert Daniel Potter, Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, Federal Judicial Center.
- ^ a b Emily Yellin with David Firestone, By Court Order, Busing Ends Where It Began, The New York Times (September 11, 1999).
- ^ a b c George James, Bakker's 45-Year Prison Term Set Aside, New York Times (February 13, 1991).
- ^ Tamar Lewin, Appeals Court Rejects Move To End Busing Of Students, The New York Times (December 1, 2000).
- ^ a b Advisory Board Member Robert D. Potter Dies at 86, Christendom College (July 7, 2009).
Sources
- Robert Daniel Potter at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
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