SPARKS, SAM (1939~) Sam Sparks, federal district judge, was born September 27, 1939, in Austin, Texas, where he attended the University of Texas at Austin. In 1961, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1963; he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Texas School of Law.
After receiving his State Bar Card on November 17, 1963, Sparks began his legal career by working as Judge Homer Thornberry's law clerk. At this time, Thornberry was serving as Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. However, in 1965, after Thornberry received an appointment to a higher court, Sparks moved to El Paso, where he joined the firm of Hardie, Grambling, Sims & Galatzan.
On October 1, 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated Sparks to the federal bench and a newly created seat. Sparks was confirmed by the Senate and received his commission on November 25, 1991. Sparks returned to Austin in 1991 and continues to serve as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
Sparks married the former Melinda Echols in 1995.
Information taken from: the Federal Judicial Center website, http://air.fjc.gov/; United States District Court, Western District of Texas website, http://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/gen_info/judges.asp; and the State Bar of Texas website, http://www.texasbar.com. |
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