James McPherson Proctor

Who was James McPherson Proctor?

James McPherson Proctor was a United States federal judge.

Born in Washington, D.C., Proctor received an LL.B. from George Washington University Law School in 1904. He was an assistant United States Attorney of the District of Columbia from 1905 to 1913, becoming the chief assistant U.S. attorney of that district in 1909. He was in private practice in Washington, DC from 1913 to 1931, serving as a special assistant United States Attorney General from 1929 to 1931.

On February 6, 1931, Proctor was nominated by President Herbert Hoover to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia vacated by William Hitz. Proctor was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 25, 1931, and received his commission on March 2, 1931.

On February 2, 1948, President Harry S. Truman nominated Proctor for elevation to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated by Harold M. Stephens. Proctor was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 2, 1948, and received his commission on March 5, 1948. Proctor served in that capacity until his death, in 1953.