George Ernest Tidwell

George Ernest Tidwell
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
In office October 8, 1999 – August 4, 2011
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
In office 1996–1999
Preceded by	Robert L. Vining Jr.
Succeeded by	Orinda Dale Evans
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
In office July 24, 1979 – October 8, 1999
Appointed by	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629
Succeeded by	Beverly B. Martin
Personal details
Born	George Ernest Tidwell (1931-08-01)August 1, 1931 Atlanta, Georgia
Died	August 4, 2011(2011-08-04) (aged 80) Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Education	Emory University School of Law (LLB)

George Ernest Tidwell (August 1, 1931 – August 4, 2011) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Education and career

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Tidwell graduated from the Henry W. Grady High School in Atlanta and then received a Bachelor of Laws from Emory University School of Law in 1954. He was in private practice in Atlanta from 1954 to 1966. He was a legal aide to the House Floor Leader of the Georgia General Assembly from 1964 to 1966. He was an associate general counsel of the State Bar of Georgia from 1965 to 1966. He was an executive assistant attorney general of the State of Georgia from 1966 to 1968. He was a judge of the Civil Court of Fulton County, Georgia from 1968 to 1971. He was a judge of the Superior Court for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit from 1971 to 1979.

Federal judicial service

Tidwell was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on June 5, 1979, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 23, 1979, and received his commission on July 24, 1979. He served as Chief Judge from 1996 to 1999. He assumed senior status on October 8, 1999, serving in that status until his death on August 4, 2011, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, while on a family reunion vacation. Tidwell was a resident of Atlanta for his entire life and is interred in Atlanta.

Sources

• George Ernest Tidwell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.