Sam C. Pointer, Jr. - Federal Judicial Service

Federal Judicial Service

On September 22, 1970, Pointer was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 1970, and received his commission on October 14, 1970. He became the District's Chief Judge in 1982, and continued to hold that position throughout his tenure on the bench.

While on the bench, Pointer ruled that Jefferson County Schools should bus students to achieve racial integration in the 1970s, for which he received numerous death threats. He also issued orders regarding conditions and hiring policies at Birmingham's and Jefferson County's jails. He upheld the City of Birmingham's Affirmative Action hiring plan in 1981 and again in 1992. He also made significant rulings in litigation against the manufacturers of silicone gel breast implants, a national case assigned to him by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. He was also involved in antitrust litigation against cast iron pipe and plywood manufacturers.

In addition to his work on the bench, Pointer was principal author of the Manual for Complex Litigation, 2nd edition and served on the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. From 1980 to 1987 he served on the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals and from 1991 to 1993 was Chair of the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules.

Pointed assumed senior status, on November 19, 1999, and was succeeded by Karon Bowdre. Pointer served in that capacity until his retirement from the bench on April 3, 2000.