James T. Vaughn Jr.

James T. Vaughn Jr.
Associate Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court
In office
October 29, 2014 – May 1, 2023
Appointed byJack Markell
Preceded byCarolyn Berger
Succeeded byAbigail LeGrow
Personal details
Born(1949-08-05)August 5, 1949
DiedOctober 10, 2024(2024-10-10) (aged 75)
EducationDuke University (BA)
Georgetown University (JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of serviceUnknown

James T. Vaughn Jr. (August 5, 1949 – October 10, 2024) was an American lawyer who served as a justice of the Delaware Supreme Court from 2014 to 2023.[1]

Early life and education

Vaughan was the son of Delaware State Senator James T. Vaughn Sr.[2] Vaughn graduated from J.B. Moore High School in Smyrna, Delaware, in 1967.[3] He received his Bachelor of Arts from Duke University in 1971 and his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1976.[4]

Career

Vaughn was a United States Army veteran.[5] From 1976 to 1988, Vaughn practiced law with Vaughn and Vaughn, where he focused on civil and criminal law. In 1988 he became a member of the firm of Schmittinger and Rodriguez in Dover.[4]

On October 28, 1998, Governor Tom Carper appointed Vaughn as resident judge in Kent County of the Superior Court of Delaware; elevated to president judge of the Superior Court on October 12, 2004.[4][6]

Delaware Supreme Court

On September 23, 2014, Governor Jack Markell nominated Vaughn to serve as an associate justice of the Delaware Supreme Court. He was nominated to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Carolyn Berger.[3] On October 8, 2014, he was unanimously confirmed by the Delaware Senate.[7] He was sworn into office on October 29, 2014.[8]

He retired from the court on May 1, 2023.[9]

Death

Vaughn died on October 10, 2024, at the age of 75.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Supreme Court Justices". Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  2. ^ "Longtime Delaware Supreme Court Justice James T. Vaughn, Jr. Dies". October 11, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Governor Markell Nominates Judge James T. Vaughn, Jr. to Delaware Supreme Court". State of Delaware News. September 23, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "President Judge James T. Vaughn Jr". Archived from the original on October 12, 2014.
  5. ^ "Judicial Officers of the Delaware Supreme Court". Archived from the original on November 26, 2015.
  6. ^ "SUPERIOR COURT | History | Our Judicial Officers". Archived from the original on October 12, 2014.
  7. ^ Starkey, Jonathan (October 8, 2014). "Vaughn confirmed as Supreme Court justice". The News Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Starkey, Jonathan (October 29, 2014). "Vaughn sworn in to Delaware Supreme Court". The News Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  9. ^ Price, Betsy (December 6, 2022). "Advocacy group presses Carney to appoint judge of color". Delaware Live. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice James T. Vaughn Jr. passes away at 75
Legal offices
Preceded by Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court
2014–2023 		Succeeded by