Senior United States Circuit Judge
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Key moments and achievements from Elbert Jolly Jr.'s life.
Elbert was born
· Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
Academic Achievement
Jolly received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1959 and his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1962. Born in Louisville, Mississippi, he built his legal career in his home state.
Academic Achievement
Jolly received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1959 and his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1962. Born in Louisville, Mississippi, he built his legal career in his home state.
Judicial Appointment
Jolly was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 1, 1982, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 27 and received his commission on July 30, beginning a 35-year career on one of the nation's most important federal appeals courts.
Judicial Appointment
Jolly was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 1, 1982, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 27 and received his commission on July 30, beginning a 35-year career on one of the nation's most important federal appeals courts.
Landmark Ruling
In 1986, Jolly authored the majority opinion striking down Louisiana's law requiring schools to teach creationism alongside evolution. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the decision in Edwards v. Aguillard, making it one of the most significant First Amendment rulings in education law.
Landmark Ruling
In 1986, Jolly authored the majority opinion striking down Louisiana's law requiring schools to teach creationism alongside evolution. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the decision in Edwards v. Aguillard, making it one of the most significant First Amendment rulings in education law.
Landmark Ruling
In 2014, Jolly wrote the majority opinion ruling Mississippi's law requiring abortion providers to obtain hospital admitting privileges unconstitutional. The law aimed to shut down the state's only abortion clinic, and the U.S. Supreme Court allowed his ruling to stand in 2016.
Landmark Ruling
In 2014, Jolly wrote the majority opinion ruling Mississippi's law requiring abortion providers to obtain hospital admitting privileges unconstitutional. The law aimed to shut down the state's only abortion clinic, and the U.S. Supreme Court allowed his ruling to stand in 2016.
Career Achievement
Jolly served 35 years on the Fifth Circuit, handling cases from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, before taking senior status in 2017. Viewed as a conservative who followed existing law and Supreme Court precedents, he was respected for his principled approach to judicial decision-making.
Career Achievement
Jolly served 35 years on the Fifth Circuit, handling cases from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, before taking senior status in 2017. Viewed as a conservative who followed existing law and Supreme Court precedents, he was respected for his principled approach to judicial decision-making.
Elbert Jolly Jr. passed away
