Judge G. Ross Anderson Takes a Bow and Exits the Stage
David Dykes of "The Greenville News" is reporting that U.S. District Judge G. Ross Anderson Jr. will vacate his position as a full-time federal judge next month. In true form, this move would allow President-elect Barack Obama to nominate his replacement.
Judge Anderson reported to "The Greenville News" that he will remain with the court as a senior judge for the District of South Carolina, stating:
"I will carry only a 25 percent caseload."
As Dykes reports:
- Sen. Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings recommended Anderson for his current position and President Jimmy Carter nominated Anderson in 1980;
- Anderson, a native South Carolinian, has worked for years in a federal building in Anderson that bears his name;
- He is among the nation’s most recognized and honored judges and is known for his firmness and fairness;
- He recently received a lifetime achievement award from the South Carolina Association for Justice, the state’s trial lawyers group. (Anderson is one of the association’s 12 original founders and served as president in 1971-72);
- Anderson is a 1954 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law;
- Anderson has received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor;
- He was a member of the South Carolina House from 1955 until 1956;
- He had a private law practice in the city of Anderson from 1954 to 1980;
- He was a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Olin Johnston of South Carolina from 1947 until 1951 and 1953 until 1954; and
- Anderson served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1952.
