James Ward Morris

Who was James Ward Morris?

James Ward Morris was a United States federal judge.

Born in Smithfield, North Carolina, Morris received an A.B. from the University of North Carolina in 1912. He attended the University of North Carolina School of Law, but read law to enter the bar in 1913. He was in private practice in Tampa, Florida from 1913 to 1933. He was in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919. He was a Special assistant to U.S. attorney general from 1933 to 1935. He was an Assistant U.S. attorney general from 1935 to 1939.

Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Morris was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 23, 1939, to a new seat created by 52 Stat. 584. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 15, 1939, and received his commission on June 19, 1939. Morris served in that capacity until November 15, 1960, due to his death.