Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale
Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and confirmed by voice vote, Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale is a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He earned a law degree from University of Mississippi School of Law in 1972. Sources ↓
- Born
- 1944 · age 82
- Appointed by
- George H.W. Bush, 1990
- Confirmed
- by voice vote
- Education
- U.S. Military Academy 1966 · University of Mississippi Law 1972
- Succeeded
- Alvin Benjamin Rubin
- Succeeded by
- James Earl Graves Jr.
Federal judicial service
| Year | Court | Appointed by | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Fifth Circuit succeeded Alvin Benjamin Rubin | G.H.W. Bush (R) | Voice vote |
Party letters show the appointing president’s party, not the judge’s own. A voice vote means the chamber approved aloud. No senator-by-senator tally is recorded.
Confirmation vote
Voice vote
The Senate approved this confirmation aloud, with no senator-by-senator tally recorded. Recorded roll-call votes begin in 1989.
Education
| U.S. Military Academy | B.S. | 1966 |
| University of Mississippi School of Law | J.D. | 1972 |
Before the bench
Professional career before and outside the federal bench, as recorded by the Federal Judicial Center.
| U.S. Army | 1966-1970 |
| Law clerk, Hon. Byron White, Supreme Court of the United States | 1972-1973 |
| Private practice, Jackson, Mississippi | 1973-1990 |
| Instructor in constitutional law, University of Mississippi Law School Paralegal Course | 1975-1976 |
| Instructor, Mississippi College School of Law | 1976 |
| Chairman, Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program | 1982-1985 |
Questions & answers
- Who appointed Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale?
- President George H.W. Bush appointed Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 1990.
- Was Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale appointed by a Democrat or a Republican?
- Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale was appointed by President George H.W. Bush, a Republican. JudicialFinder records the appointing president's party, not a judge's own politics.
- What was Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale's confirmation vote?
- Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale was confirmed by voice vote on March 9, 1990. No senator-by-senator tally was recorded.
- Which court is Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale on?
- Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale is a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Sources
Each fact on this page traces to a primary public record.
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36 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Data as of 2026-09-28. Informational only; verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).