Born in Olney, Maryland, Chief Judge Fitzwater became one of the Northern District of Texas’ Judges in 1986. He was appointed by President Reagan.
Chief Judge Fitzwater received a B.A. from Baylor University in 1975 and a J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in 1976. From 1976 to 1978, he worked as an Associate at Vinson & Elkins LLP, and from 1978 to 1982, as an Associate at Rain Harrell Emery Young & Doke. In 1982, he became Judge of the 298th Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas, a position he held until 1986, when, at the age of 32, he was elevated to the Federal bench.
Since 2007, he has served as Chief Judge of the Northern District of Texas. Chief Judge Fitzwater’s chambers are in Dallas, Texas.