Phillip Sam Figa (July 27, 1951 – January 5, 2008) was an American attorney and jurist who served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.

Phillip Figa
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado
In office
October 6, 2003 – January 5, 2008
Appointed byGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byRichard Paul Matsch
Succeeded byR. Brooke Jackson
Personal details
Born
Phillip Sam Figa

(1951-07-27)July 27, 1951
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 5, 2008(2008-01-05) (aged 56)
Greenwood Village, Colorado, U.S.
EducationNorthwestern University (BA)
Cornell University (JD)

Early life and education

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Born in Chicago, Illinois to Polish Jewish immigrants,[1] Figa attended Northwestern University "through a scholarship caddie program at a nearby country club".[2] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Northwestern in 1973, and a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School in 1976.[2]

Career

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Figa was in private practice in Denver, Colorado, from 1976 to 2003.

Figa was one of five people recommended by Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Wayne Allard for a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Colorado after Richard Paul Matsch entered senior status. On June 9, 2003, he was nominated by President George W. Bush for the role.[3] Figa was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 2, 2003, and received his judicial commission on October 6, 2003.

Illness and death

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In March 2007, Figa was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor.[4] He continued to serve until his death. He died on January 5, 2008, in his home in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

References

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  1. ^ https://commons.stmarytx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1072&context=facarticles [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ a b Michael L. O’Donnell and Julie M. Walker, "Honorable Phillip S. Figa", Faculty of Federal Advocates Newsletter (December 2003), Vol. 6, No. 4. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
  3. ^ Manny Gonzales, "Judge Figa mourned as fair role model", The Denver Post (January 7, 2008). Retrieved 2008-01-11.
  4. ^ Hector Gutierrez, "Federal Judge Figa's family receives 'bad news' about fight with brain cancer, Rocky Mountain News (March 23, 2007). Retrieved 2008-01-11.
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Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado
2003–2008
Succeeded by