Thomas Banister Russell (born November 15, 1945)[1] is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. He also served as a judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 2015 to 2022. He served as a judge of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court from 2016 to 2021.

Thomas Banister Russell
Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
In office
May 19, 2015 – May 18, 2022
Appointed byJohn Roberts
Preceded byJames Zagel
Succeeded byJoan N. Ericksen
Judge of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court
In office
2016–2021
Appointed byJohn Roberts
Preceded byJames C. Cacheris
Succeeded byLouis Guirola Jr.
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
In office
November 15, 2011 – September 1, 2023
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
In office
2008–2011
Preceded byJohn G. Heyburn II
Succeeded byJoseph H. McKinley Jr.
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
In office
October 11, 1994 – November 15, 2011
Appointed byBill Clinton
Preceded byEdward Huggins Johnstone
Succeeded byGregory N. Stivers
Personal details
Born
Thomas Banister Russell

(1945-11-15) November 15, 1945 (age 79)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
EducationWestern Kentucky University (BA)
University of Kentucky (JD)

Education and career

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Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Russell received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Kentucky University in 1967 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1970. He was in private practice in Paducah, Kentucky from 1970 to 1994.

Federal judicial service

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On September 14, 1994, Russell was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky vacated by Edward Huggins Johnstone. Russell was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 7, 1994, and received his commission on October 11, 1994. He served as Chief Judge from 2008 to 2011. He took senior status on November 15, 2011. He served as a judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 2015 to 2022. He served as a judge of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court from 2016 to 2021. He retired from active service on September 1, 2023.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Hearings before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session, on Confirmations of Appointees to the Federal Judiciary, September 28; October 4 and 6, 1994. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1996. p. 672.
  2. ^ Thomas B. Russell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Sources

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Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
1994–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
2008–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
2015–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Judge of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court
2016–2021
Succeeded by