Roger Gregory

Roger Gregory is an American jurist serving as the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He holds the distinction of being the first African American to serve on that court, having been initially appointed via a recess appointment by President Bill Clinton in 2000 before being formally nominated and confirmed by President George W. Bush and the United States Senate in 2001. His judicial service, marked by a consensus-building approach, has included rulings on significant issues involving civil rights, criminal procedure, and administrative law.

Early life and education

Roger Gregory was born in Philadelphia and raised in Petersburg, Virginia, where he attended the local public schools. He pursued his undergraduate education at Virginia State University, a historically black university within the Virginia Commonwealth University system, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School, an institution renowned for its contributions to legal scholarship and the study of law and economics.

Legal career

Following law school, Gregory began his legal career in private practice in Richmond, Virginia, with the firm now known as Hunton Andrews Kurth, where he focused on complex commercial litigation. He later co-founded the law firm of Wilder & Gregory with former Governor of Virginia L. Douglas Wilder, specializing in business and corporate law. His practice involved significant work in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and other venues, earning him recognition within the Virginia State Bar and establishing his reputation as a skilled litigator.

Federal judicial service

In July 2000, President Bill Clinton nominated Gregory to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, but the Republican-controlled United States Senate did not act on the nomination. Utilizing his constitutional power, Clinton made Gregory a recess appointment on December 27, 2000, granting him a commission that would expire at the end of the next session of Congress. In a notable act of bipartisan cooperation, the newly inaugurated President George W. Bush renominated Gregory in May 2001, and he was confirmed by the Senate by a voice vote in July 2001, receiving a lifetime appointment. He became Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit on February 1, 2023, succeeding Judge Roger L. Gregory.

Notable cases and jurisprudence

Judge Gregory has authored numerous opinions addressing a wide spectrum of federal law. In the realm of employment discrimination, he wrote for the en banc court in *Holland v. Washington Homes, Inc.*, clarifying the standard for retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In criminal law, his concurrence in *United States v. Curry* examined the application of the Armed Career Criminal Act. He was part of the panel that upheld the conviction of former Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell in *United States v. McDonnell*, a decision later vacated by the Supreme Court of the United States. His jurisprudence often reflects a textualist approach to statutory interpretation, as seen in cases involving the Administrative Procedure Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Personal life

Gregory is married to Maeera L. Gregory, and they have two children. He is actively involved in his community and the legal profession, frequently participating in events for the Old Dominion Bar Association and serving as a speaker at institutions like the University of Richmond School of Law. He maintains strong ties to Virginia State University and has served on its board of visitors.

Category:American judges Category:United States circuit judges Category:1953 births Category:Living people