WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Debra M. Brown of Jackson to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi following recommendations from U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).

Brown, who will fill the seat held by the late District Court Judge Allen Pepper, was confirmed on a 90-0 vote.  The Yazoo City native will become the first African American female federal district judge in Mississippi, and one of two female district court judges in the state.

Prior to Monday’s vote, Wicker and Cochran spoke on the Senate floor to recommend confirmation of Brown, who was nominated for the judicial position on May 16, 2013.

“I am thrilled and honored to be part of this historic moment for Mississippi,” Wicker said. “Ms. Brown is a proven trailblazer. Our country needs judges who have a record of professional excellence, integrity, and public service.  I am confident her service will be good for our nation, our state, and especially good for the city of Greenville, where she will preside. Having a judge who is also an architect would be particularly serendipitous for Greenville, as the federal courthouse there is woefully inadequate and in desperate need of a new state-of-the-art courthouse.”

“I am confident Debra Brown will serve with distinction as a United States district court judge in Mississippi. Her personal background, educational accomplishments, and legal experience should serve her well as she assumes this important position,” Cochran said.  “The Senate vote is recognition of her qualifications to serve as a member of the federal judiciary.”

Wicker and Cochran introduced Brown and recommended her approval at the July 10 Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on her nomination.  The committee approved her nomination in August on a unanimous voice vote.

Brown, a shareholder the Wise Carter Child & Caraway law firm in Jackson, earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Mississippi State University in 1987 and a law degree in 1997 from the University of Mississippi School of Law.  Prior to joining Wise Carter Child & Caraway in January 2012, she was a partner with the Phelps Dunbar law firm in Jackson.

Brown is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association, as well as a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, the Magnolia Bar Association and the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association where she has served also as president.  She is also a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation.

The 2004 recipient of the Jackson Young Lawyers Outstanding Service Award, Brown was also recognized in 2008 by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi’s Leading Business Women.  She has also been involved in civic and charitable organizations.