June Lazenby Green

Who was June Lazenby Green?

June Lazenby Green was a United States federal judge.

Born in Arnold, Maryland, Green received a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law in 1941. She was a claims adjuster for the Lumberman's Mutual Casualty Company in Washington, D.C. from 1942 to 1943, and a claims attorney for that company until 1947, when she entered private practice in Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, Maryland.

On April 11, 1968, Green was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, vacated by Burnita Shelton Matthews. Green was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 6, 1968, and received her commission on June 7, 1968. She assumed senior status on January 15, 1984. Green served in that capacity until February 2, 2001, due to her death, in Arnold, Maryland.

In 1974, journalist Joseph Goulden wrote a book about federal judges called The Benchwarmers that was very critical towards Green. Goulden interviewed many lawyers who had appeared before the Judge and called her incompetent and a disaster. Goulden pointed out she had one of the highest reversal rates of any Judge on the bench.