Flanagan Sworn As N.C.'s First Female Federal Judge

GREENVILLE — A U.S. magistrate from Greenville was sworn as the first woman to hold federal district court judgeship in North Carolina.

Louise W. Flanagan’s nomination to the bench in the Eastern District of North Carolina was confirmed by a voice vote of the U.S. Senate.

U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle administered the oath of office during at a special court session two weeks ago at the U.S. courthouse.

Flanagan is the first female nominated and confirmed for a federal court seat in the state, said U.S. District Judge Malcolm Howard.

“I am humbled by this appointment and would like to thank the president of the United States and senators John Edwards and Elizabeth Dole for their support,” Flanagan said.

George W. Bush nominated Flanagan on Jan. 29. Dole, R-N.C., and Edwards, D-N.C., introduced her in June during Senate judiciary committee hearings on nominations.

Flanagan, who fills a position that has been vacant since January 2001, said she hopes to set up her new office in New Bern by the end of the week. She will also hold court in Raleigh, Wilmington and Fayetteville.