---
title: "Johnnie B. Rawlinson | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
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---

# Johnnie B. Rawlinson

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, appointed in 2000 by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate
- Judge, District Court, D. Nevada, 1998-2000
- assistant district attorney, 1995-1998
- Office of the District Attorney, Las Vegas, NV, 1980-1998
- chief deputy district attorney, 1989-1995
- deputy district attorney, 1980-1989
- The first female judge on this court
- Judge Rawlinson continues to serve on the Ninth Circuit, hearing appeals in a wide range of federal cases across the Pacific states

### Education

- J.D. — McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific (1979)
- B.S. in 1974 summa cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

### Additional information

- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2000–present): Nominated February 22, 2000, confirmed July 21, 2000, and commissioned July 26, 2000.
- Staff attorney, Nevada Legal Services, Las Vegas, NV, 1980-present
- She later received a Master of Judicial Studies from Duke University School of Law in 2016.
- U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada (1998–2000): Nominated by President Clinton on January 27, 1998, confirmed April 2, 1998, and commissioned April 7, 1998.
- In 1980, Rawlinson and Viveca Monet Woods became the first African American women admitted to the Nevada bar.
- Private practice, Las Vegas, NV, 1979-1980
- Johnnie Mae Blakeney Rawlinson was born December 16, 1952, in Concord, North Carolina.
- Date of birth: 1952-01-01
- She remains active in the judiciary and has been recognized for her contributions to legal service and representation.
- Birth place: Concord, NC

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### appellate oral argument

Scope: courtwide

In federal courts of appeals, oral argument is allowed unless a three-judge panel unanimously finds one of Rule 34's specified grounds for dispensing with it; the clerk provides the date, time, place, and time allocation.

Evidence excerpt: Oral argument must be allowed in every case unless a panel of three judges who have examined the briefs and record unanimously agrees that oral argument is unnecessary

[Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1390671)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1390671)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1390671)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2664/johnnie-b-rawlinson/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2664/johnnie-b-rawlinson/)
- [Wikidata: Johnnie B. Rawlinson](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6266040)

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