David Sentelle

David Sentelle is a prominent American jurist who served as a federal appellate judge for over three decades. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the influential United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, he later served as that court's chief judge. His judicial career is noted for a commitment to textualist and originalist principles, and he presided over several high-profile cases, including the appointment of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr during the Whitewater controversy.

Early life and education

David Sentelle was born in Canton, North Carolina, and spent his formative years in the state. He pursued his higher education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees. His legal education at the University of North Carolina School of Law provided the foundation for his future career in public service and the judiciary.

Legal career

Following his graduation from law school, Sentelle embarked on a diverse legal career. He served as an assistant district attorney in his home state, gaining trial experience in North Carolina state courts. He later entered private practice before transitioning to the federal judiciary, where he worked as a law clerk. His prosecutorial background and private sector experience informed his later judicial philosophy and approach to the law.

Federal judicial service

Sentelle's federal judicial service began with his appointment by President Ronald Reagan to the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in 1985. Just two years later, Reagan elevated him to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a court often considered second in importance only to the Supreme Court of the United States. He assumed senior status in 2013, after serving as the court's chief judge from 2008 until that year, succeeding Douglas H. Ginsburg and preceding Merrick Garland.

Notable cases and jurisprudence

Judge Sentelle authored numerous significant opinions, often aligning with conservative judicial principles. He wrote the unanimous panel opinion in *In re: Sealed Case* that upheld the constitutionality of the Independent Counsel Act. Most famously, he presided over the three-judge panel that appointed Kenneth Starr as Independent Counsel, expanding the investigation into the Whitewater controversy and later the Lewinsky scandal. In *United States v. Microsoft Corp.*, he was part of the panel that unanimously reversed the district court's order to break up the company. His jurisprudence frequently emphasized a textualist approach, evident in cases involving the Administrative Procedure Act and challenges to regulations from agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Communications Commission.

Personal life and legacy

Beyond the bench, Sentelle is known for his deep roots in North Carolina and his involvement in legal education circles. His judicial legacy is defined by a steadfast adherence to his interpretive philosophy during a period of significant political and legal turmoil in Washington, D.C.. He is regarded as a pivotal figure in the operations of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and in the independent counsel investigations of the 1990s.

Category:United States circuit judges Category:American jurists Category:1943 births