Howard C. Bratton
Encyclopedia
Howard C. Bratton was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Clovis, New Mexico
, Bratton received a B.A.
from the University of New Mexico
in 1941. and was in the United States Army
for the remainder of World War II
, from 1942 to 1945. He received an LL.B. from Yale Law School
in 1947, and after spending a year as a law clerk
for the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1948, he was in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico
from 1949 to 1952. He was also a special assistant to the United States Attorney
in charge of litigation, OPS from 1951 to 1952. He returned to private practice in Roswell, New Mexico
from 1952 to 1964.
On March 3, 1964, Bratton was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
vacated by Waldo H. Rogers. Bratton was confirmed by the United States Senate
on March 14, 1964, and received his commission on March 17, 1964. He served as chief judge from 1978 to 1987, assuming senior status
on February 4, 1987. Bratton served in that capacity until his death, in 2002.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis is the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775....
, Bratton received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
in 1941. and was in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
for the remainder of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1942 to 1945. He received an LL.B. from Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
in 1947, and after spending a year as a law clerk
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
for the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1948, he was in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
from 1949 to 1952. He was also a special assistant to the United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
in charge of litigation, OPS from 1951 to 1952. He returned to private practice in Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
from 1952 to 1964.
On March 3, 1964, Bratton was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the state of New Mexico...
vacated by Waldo H. Rogers. Bratton was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on March 14, 1964, and received his commission on March 17, 1964. He served as chief judge from 1978 to 1987, assuming senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on February 4, 1987. Bratton served in that capacity until his death, in 2002.