Timothy L. Brooks Explained

Timothy L. Brooks
Office:Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
Term Start:March 7, 2014
Appointer:Barack Obama
Predecessor:Jimm Larry Hendren
Birth Name:Timothy Lloyd Brooks
Birth Date:17 July 1964
Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Timothy Lloyd Brooks (born July 17, 1964) is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

Biography

Brooks was born on July 17, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan, but was raised on a farm in Washington County, Arkansas.[1] He graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1982. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1986 from the University of Arkansas. He received his Juris Doctor in 1989 from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He spent his entire private practice career at the Fayetteville, Arkansas law firm Taylor Law Partners, LLP., starting as an associate in 1989, becoming a partner in 1993. His former practice focused on representing individual plaintiffs and corporate clients in complex civil litigation in both federal and state courts, with an emphasis on commercial and medical malpractice cases.[2]

Federal judicial service

On June 7, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Brooks to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, to the seat vacated by Judge Jimm Larry Hendren, who assumed senior status on December 31, 2012. His nomination was reported out of committee on January 16, 2014 by a voice vote.[3] The United States Senate invoke clotured on his nomination on March 5, 2014 by a 59–41 vote.[4] His nomination was confirmed later that day by a 100–0 vote.[5] He received his judicial commission on March 7, 2014.

Notable rulings

On August 31, 2023, Brooks blocked an Arkansas law that requires children under 18 to get parental consent before accessing most social media websites — finding the law is likely unconstitutional. Brooks said in his 50-page ruling that NetChoice is likely to succeed in showing the law is unconstitutionally vague and fails to define which platforms are subject to it.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Timothy Lloyd Brooks Lawyer Profile on Martindale.com. www.martindale.com.
  2. Web site: President Obama Nominates Two to Serve as District Court Judges. whitehouse.gov. National Archives. 7 June 2013.
  3. Web site: Results of Executive Business Meeting – January 17, 2014. United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. July 30, 2023.
  4. Web site: On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Timothy L. Brooks, of Arkansas, to be U.S. District Judge). www.senate.gov.
  5. Web site: On the Nomination (Confirmation Timothy L. Brooks, of Arkansas, to be U.S. District Judge). www.senate.gov.
  6. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/31/judge-arkansas-law-parental-consent-social-media-00113696