Ojetta Rogeriee Thompson
Encyclopedia
Ojetta Rogeriee Thompson (born August 8, 1951) is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
and a former Rhode Island
Superior Court justice.
, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina
. She attended Scarsdale High School
in Scarsdale, NY under the auspices of the Student Transfer and Exchange Program (STEP), graduating in 1969. She came to Rhode Island
to attend Pembroke College
, which was the coordinate women's college for Brown University
. Thompson earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University
in 1973 and a Juris Doctor
degree from the Boston University School of Law
in 1976.
for the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau
. In 1974 Thompson started out as a legal intern for Rhode Island Legal Services and then returned in 1976 as the Senior Staff Attorney and Family Law Manager until 1979. From 1979 - 1980 she was an Associate for the law form of McKinnon and Fortunato. In 1980, Thompson became the Assistant City Solicitor for Providence, Rhode Island
and held this position until 1982. Also in 1980, Thompson was a solo practitioner until 1984 when she opened a law firm in South Providence while raising a family with her husband, Rhode Island District Court judge William Clifton. In 1988, Thompson was appointed to the Rhode Island District Court by Governor Edward D. DiPrete
. In 1997, she was elevated to the Rhode Island Superior Court
by Governor Lincoln Almond
.
announced that they were recommending that President Obama nominate Thompson to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
, to fill the seat left vacant by First Circuit Judge Bruce M. Selya's transition to senior status
at the end of 2006.
On October 6, 2009, Obama formally nominated Thompson to the seat on the First Circuit. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 98-0 vote on March 17, 2010.
.
She has three children, Reza C. Clifton, William Clifton, and Sarah Clifton.
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Maine* District of Massachusetts...
and a former Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
Superior Court justice.
Early life and education
Thompson was born in segregated Anderson, South CarolinaAnderson, South Carolina
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was estimated at 26,242 in 2006, and the city was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530...
, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, 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...
. She attended Scarsdale High School
Scarsdale High School
Scarsdale High School is a public high school in Scarsdale, New York, a coterminous town and village in Westchester County, New York. The school was founded in 1917...
in Scarsdale, NY under the auspices of the Student Transfer and Exchange Program (STEP), graduating in 1969. She came to Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
to attend Pembroke College
Pembroke College (Brown University)
Pembroke College in Brown University was the coordinate women's college for Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1891 and closed in 1971.-Founding and early history:...
, which was the coordinate women's college for Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
. Thompson earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1973 and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from the Boston University School of Law
Boston University School of Law
Boston University School of Law is the law school affiliated with Boston University, and is ranked #22 among American law schools by US News and World Report magazine. It is the second-oldest law school in Massachusetts and one of the first law schools in the country to admit students regardless...
in 1976.
Professional career
Thompson began her career working as a cashier at the Providence Civic Center in 1973. In 1975 she worked as a law clerkLaw 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 Harvard Legal Aid Bureau
Harvard Legal Aid Bureau
The Harvard Legal Aid Bureau is the oldest student-run legal services office in the country, founded in 1913. Located at 23 Everett Street in Cambridge, MA, the Bureau's mission is to provide an important community service while giving student attorneys the opportunity to develop professional...
. In 1974 Thompson started out as a legal intern for Rhode Island Legal Services and then returned in 1976 as the Senior Staff Attorney and Family Law Manager until 1979. From 1979 - 1980 she was an Associate for the law form of McKinnon and Fortunato. In 1980, Thompson became the Assistant City Solicitor for Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
and held this position until 1982. Also in 1980, Thompson was a solo practitioner until 1984 when she opened a law firm in South Providence while raising a family with her husband, Rhode Island District Court judge William Clifton. In 1988, Thompson was appointed to the Rhode Island District Court by Governor Edward D. DiPrete
Edward D. DiPrete
Edward Daniel DiPrete is an American Republican Party politician from Rhode Island.DiPrete served as the 70th Governor of Rhode Island from 1985 to 1991, and was defeated for reelection in a landslide by former federal attorney and millionaire businessman Bruce Sundlun in 1990, who had twice lost...
. In 1997, she was elevated to the Rhode Island Superior Court
Rhode Island Superior Court
The Rhode Island Superior Court is the state trial court of general jurisdiction in Rhode Island.-Jurisdiction:It has original jurisdiction in all felony proceedings, civil matters with an amount in controversy in excess of $10,000, and all matters of equity...
by Governor Lincoln Almond
Lincoln Almond
Lincoln Carter Almond is an American attorney, politician and member of the Republican Party. Almond served as United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island from 1969–1978 and 1981–1993 and latter the 72nd Governor of Rhode Island, serving from 1995 to 2003.- Early life, education and...
.
Federal judicial career
On April 13, 2009, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon Whitehouse
Sheldon Whitehouse is the junior U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
announced that they were recommending that President Obama nominate Thompson to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Maine* District of Massachusetts...
, to fill the seat left vacant by First Circuit Judge Bruce M. Selya's transition to 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...
at the end of 2006.
On October 6, 2009, Obama formally nominated Thompson to the seat on the First Circuit. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 98-0 vote on March 17, 2010.
Personal
Thompson lives in Cranston, Rhode IslandCranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
.
She has three children, Reza C. Clifton, William Clifton, and Sarah Clifton.