American judge (born 1954)
Michael B. Thornton
Thornton in 2013
Assumed office January 1, 2021In office August 7, 2013 – May 31, 2016Preceded by John O. Colvin (Interim) Succeeded by L. Paige Marvel In office June 1, 2012 – March 7, 2013Preceded by John O. Colvin Succeeded by John O. Colvin (Interim) In office August 7, 2013 – January 1, 2021Appointed by Barack Obama Preceded by Himself Succeeded by Jeffrey Arbeit In office March 8, 1998 – March 7, 2013Appointed by Bill Clinton Preceded by Lapsley Walker Hamblem Jr. Succeeded by Himself
Born (1954-02-09 ) February 9, 1954 (age 70) Hattiesburg, Mississippi , U.S.Education University of Southern Mississippi (BS , MS )University of Tennessee, Knoxville (MA )Duke University (JD )
Michael Bert Thornton (born February 9, 1954) is an American lawyer who serves as a senior judge of the United States Tax Court .
Early life and education
Thornton was born on February 9, 1954, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi .[ 1] He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 1976. In 1977, he graduated from the same school with a Master of Science in accounting. In 1979, he graduated with a Master of Arts in English literature from the University of Tennessee . In 1982, he graduated with distinction with a Juris Doctor degree from Duke University School of Law , where he served on the Duke Law Journal , and was inducted into the Order of the Coif . He served as law clerk to Charles Clark , chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit from 1983 to 1984.
Tax Court service
Thornton was appointed by President Bill Clinton as Judge of the United States Tax Court on March 8, 1998, for a fifteen-year term ending March 7, 2013. He has served as Chief Judge since 2012 (save for the period from March 8 through August 6, 2013). He was subsequently renominated by President Barack Obama on May 9, 2013, for an additional fifteen-year term, which was confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2013. He assumed senior status on January 1, 2021.
Accomplishments and employment
Practiced law as an Associate attorney , Sutherland Asbill & Brennan , Washington, D.C. , summer 1981, and 1982–1983
Miller & Chevalier , Washington, D.C. , 1985–1988
Served as Tax Counsel , United States House Committee on Ways and Means , 1988–1993
Chief Minority Tax Counsel, United States House Committee on Ways and Means , January 1995
Attorney-Adviser, United States Department of the Treasury , February–April 1995
Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel in the Office of Tax Policy , United States Department of the Treasury , April 1995 – February 1998
Recipient of Treasury Secretary 's Annual Award, United States Department of the Treasury , 1997
Meritorious Service Award, United States Department of the Treasury , 1998
References
^ Nominations of Michael B. Thornton, Joseph W. Nega, and F. Scott Kieff: Hearing Before the Committee on Finance, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, on the Nominations of Michael B. Thornton, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court; Joseph W. Nega, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court; and F. Scott Kieff, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission, July 18, 2013 . U.S. Government Printing Office. 2013. p. 70.