James H. Payne

James Hardy Payne

Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
In office 2002–2017
Preceded by	Michael Burrage
Succeeded by	Ronald A. White
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Incumbent
Assumed office October 24, 2001
Appointed by	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Michael Burrage
Personal details
Born	James Hardy Payne 1941 (age 75–76) Lubbock, Texas
Education	University of Oklahoma B.S. University of Oklahoma College of Law J.D.

Payne received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1963. In 1966, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law with a Juris Doctor. From 1966 until 1970, he was on active duty in the United States Air Force. He continued as an Air Force reservist from 1975 until 1992.

From 1970 until 1973, he was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. In 1973, he entered private practice as lawyer for the firm of Sandlin and Payne. He remained in that position until 1988 when he became a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

On September 4, 2001, President George W. Bush nominated Payne to a seat simultaneously serving on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The seat had been vacated by Judge Michael Burrage, who had resigned on March 1, 2001. Payne was confirmed on October 23, 2001, and received his commission the next day. Despite being jointly appointed to all three districts, Payne does not maintain chambers and does not hear cases in the Western District of Oklahoma.