Louise W. Flanagan

Louise Wood Flanagan (born 1962) is a District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. She joined the court in 2003 after being nominated by President George W. Bush.

Early life and education

Born in Richmond, Virginia, Flanagan graduated from Wake Forest University with her Bachelor's degree in 1984 and later from University of Virginia School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1988.

Legal career

Following law school graduation, Flanagan practiced as a law clerk for federal judge Malcolm Howard in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina from 1988 to 1989 before becoming a private practice attorney first, in the District of Columbia from 1989 to 1990 and then in North Carolina from 1990 to 1999.

Federal Judicial Career

In 1995, Flanagan was appointed to a four-year term as a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and appointed to serve a consecutive eight-year term in 1999.

On the recommendation of North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole, Flanagan was nominated to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina by President George W. Bush on January 29, 2003 to a seat vacated by James Carroll Fox. Flanagan was confirmed by the Senate on July 17, 2003 and received her commission the next day.