Richard J. Holwell (born 1948) is an American former federal judge who served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, he received his commission on November 30 1995 and served as an active judge until assuming senior status on August 31 2010. He retired from the bench on August 31 2011.
Early life and education
Holwell was born in 1948 in the United States. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and subsequently obtained his Juris Doctor from the UC Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall). Following law school, Holwell served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of lieutenant.
Legal career
Before his federal appointment, Holmore held several legal positions:
- Private practice attorney in Sacramento, California, where he specialized in civil litigation and corporate law.
- Judge of the Sacramento County Superior Court, elected to the bench in 1992 and serving until his federal nomination.
Federal judicial service
Nominated to the Eastern District of California to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge William B. Shubb, Holwell was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 28 1995. During his tenure, he presided over a broad spectrum of cases, including:
- Federal civil rights and employment discrimination matters.
- Environmental law disputes involving federal regulations and state compliance.
- Immigration and naturalization cases, some of which garnered national attention.
Holwell’s opinions were noted for detailed statutory analysis and adherence to precedent. He took senior status in 2010, a form of semi‑retirement that allowed him to maintain a reduced caseload, and fully retired from the judiciary in 2011.
Post‑judicial activities
Since retiring, Holmore has engaged in alternative dispute resolution, serving as an arbitrator and mediator in commercial and civil matters. He has also contributed to legal education initiatives and lectured on federal jurisprudence at law schools in California.
Personal life
Holwell is married and has two adult children. He resides in Sacramento, California, and remains active in community service, including volunteer work with local charitable organizations.
References
- United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Confirmation Hearing Transcript, 1995.
- Federal Judicial Center, Biographical Directory of Federal Judges.
- Eastern District of California, Press Releases (1995‑2011).
Note: The information presented reflects publicly available and verifiable sources. No speculative or unverified details are included.