Jean Galloway Bissell
Encyclopedia
Jean Galloway Bissell was a South Carolina
attorney who became a high-ranking bank executive, and later a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
.
, Bissell earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina
in 1956 and an LL.B. from the University of South Carolina
Law Center in 1958.
from 1958 until 1971 and then in Columbia, South Carolina
until 1976. She worked as an executive at South Carolina National Bank in Columbia, South Carolina
from 1976 until 1984, rising to become the highest-ranking female executive among the 100 largest bank holding companies in the United States.
Bissell also lectured at the University of South Carolina
in the 1970s and early 1980s.
to a newly created seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
. Reagan previously had nominated United States Department of Commerce
official Sherman Unger
to the seat in 1982, but Unger's nomination drew significant opposition and never was voted upon because Unger became afflicted with terminal cancer and died in late 1983. Bissell was confirmed by the United States Senate
on June 8, 1984, and received her commission on June 11, 1984. With her confirmation, she became the first female South Carolina lawyer to become a federal judge. She served on the court until her death.
in Washington, D.C.
at the age of 53.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
attorney who became a high-ranking bank executive, and later a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
-Vacancies and pending nominations:-List of former judges:-Chief judges:Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the court was initially created, Congress had to resolve which chief judge of the predecessor courts would become the first chief judge...
.
Early life and education
Born in Due West, South CarolinaDue West, South Carolina
Due West is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,209 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Due West is located at ....
, Bissell earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
in 1956 and an LL.B. from the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
Law Center in 1958.
Professional career
Bissell worked in private legal practice in Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
from 1958 until 1971 and then in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
until 1976. She worked as an executive at South Carolina National Bank in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
from 1976 until 1984, rising to become the highest-ranking female executive among the 100 largest bank holding companies in the United States.
Bissell also lectured at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Federal judicial service
On May 24, 1984, Bissell was nominated by President Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
to a newly created seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
-Vacancies and pending nominations:-List of former judges:-Chief judges:Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the court was initially created, Congress had to resolve which chief judge of the predecessor courts would become the first chief judge...
. Reagan previously had nominated United States Department of Commerce
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
official Sherman Unger
Sherman Unger
Sherman E. Unger was a former official in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, with his final role being the top lawyer for the United States Department of Commerce...
to the seat in 1982, but Unger's nomination drew significant opposition and never was voted upon because Unger became afflicted with terminal cancer and died in late 1983. Bissell 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 June 8, 1984, and received her commission on June 11, 1984. With her confirmation, she became the first female South Carolina lawyer to become a federal judge. She served on the court until her death.
Death
Bissell died of cancer on February 4, 1990 at Sibley Memorial HospitalSibley Memorial Hospital
Sibley Memorial Hospital is a non-profit hospital located in NW Washington D.C.. It is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and is licensed by the District of Columbia Department of Health and Human Services. The hospital specializes in surgery,...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
at the age of 53.