T.S. Ellis
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Thomas Selby Ellis, III is an Article III federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Ellis is serving on senior status. He joined the court in 1987 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan.
Early life and education
Born in Bogota, Columbia, Ellis graduated from Princeton University with his Bachelor's Degree in 1961. After graduating from Princeton, Ellis served six years in the US Navy on active duty during the Vietnam Conflict before returning back to law school in 1966 and graduating with his juris doctorate degree in 1969. Ellis also earned a Diploma of Law at Oxford University in Britain. [1]
Legal career
Ellis spent his entire pre-judicial legal career as a private practice attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He also served on a part-time basis as a lecturer in law at the College of William and Mary from 1981 to 1983. [1]
Federal judicial career
On the recommendation of Virginia U.S. Senator John Warner, Ellis was nominated by Ronald Reagan on July 1, 1987 to a seat vacated by Robert Merhige. Ellis was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 5, 1987 on a Senate vote and received commission on August 6, 1987. Ellis assumed senior status on April 1, 2007. [1]
Notable cases
Blackwater case
Judge Ellis threw out a lawsuit against former security contractor Blackwater on October 21, 2009. The judge threw out a lawsuit filed by 60 victims against the security contractor over charges of lawlessness including indiscriminate beatings and killings. Despite the dismissal, the 60 people who filed suit are entitled to re-file their claims only if they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that employees of Blackwater engaged in lawless conduct[2].
William Jefferson case
Judge Ellis presided in the trial of former Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson. Jefferson was found guilty of extorting $100,000 and leaving it in a freezer. On September 21, 2009, Ellis dismissed a motion for a new trial on grounds that an FBI agent committed gross misconduct during the investigation. [3].
On November 18, 2009, Judge Ellis ruled that the former Congressman can stay free while his appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is pending. As part of the conditions of the appeal bond, Jefferson must have an electronic monitoring bracelet on him and must seek permission to travel outside of the Eastern District of Louisiana[4].
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Judge Ellis's Biography from the Federal Judicial Center.
- ↑ "Associated Press" Judge tosses lawsuits against Blackwater, October 21, 2009
- ↑ "WWL-TV" Judge: Sexual relationship between witness and FBI agent no grounds for new trial for Jefferson, September 21, 2009
- ↑ "NOLA.com" William Jefferson can remain free during his appeal, federal judge rules, November 19, 2009
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