Thomas Virgil Pittman

Who is Thomas Virgil Pittman?

Thomas Virgil Pittman was a United States federal judge.

Born in Enterprise, Alabama, Pittman was in the United States Army Reserve during World War II, from 1938 to 1942. During this time, he received a B.S. from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in 1939 and an LL.B. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1940. He was a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1940 to 1944, and was a U.S. Naval Reserve officer towards the end of World War II, from 1944 to 1946. He entered private practice in Gadsden, Alabama from 1946 to 1951, becoming a Circuit judge, 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama from 1951 to 1953, and a Presiding judge of that circuit from 1953 to 1966. He was also a lecturer at the University of Alabama Center at Gadsden from 1948 to 1966.

On June 13, 1966, Pittman was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a joint appointment to new seats on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 29, 1966, and received his commission the same day. On June 2, 1970, he was reassigned by operation of law to serve only on the Southern District. He served as chief judge of that District from 1971 to 1981, assuming senior status on July 15, 1981, and serving in that capacity until his death.