Born 1953 in Oklahoma City, OK

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Nominated by William J. Clinton on September 22, 1994, to a seat vacated by Lee Roy West. Confirmed by the Senate on October 7, 1994, and received commission on November 28, 1994. Served as chief judge, 2008-2015. Assumed senior status on November 5, 2018.

Education:
University of Ghana, 1973
Vassar College, B.A., 1974
Howard University School of Law, J.D., 1977

Professional Career:

Law clerk, Hon. Woodrow Seals, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 1977-1979
Graduate fellow, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1979-1980
Special assistant, African Development Group, Washington, D.C., 1980-1981
Lecturer, Women's Studies Program, University of Maryland, 1981
Trial attorney, Office of Enforcement Operations, U.S. Department of Justice, 1982-1983
Assistant district attorney, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, 1983-1986
Private practice, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1986-1993
State senator, Oklahoma, 1987-1993
U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, 1993-1994