The Honorable Allyson K. Duncan, United States Circuit Judge

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Judge Allyson K. Duncan retired from the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit after sixteen years on the federal bench, hearing appeals and crafting opinions in a variety of complex civil and criminal cases. In addition to her service on the federal bench, she has long been an active in the legal profession, on both the national and international levels. United States Chief Justice John Roberts appointed her to chair the International Judicial Relations Committee of the US Judicial Conference, the entity serving as a clearing house for requests for judicial assistance from around the world. She also currently serves as a Vice President of the International Association of Judges, and President of the North American, Asian, Australian and Oceanian Region of that Association. At the national level, Judge Duncan has served as President of the Federal Judges Association, the organization representing the Article III, Presidentially-appointed members of the federal bench.

Judge Duncan’s career reflects a number of “firsts:” she was the first African American to serve as President of the North Carolina Bar Association, and the first African American woman to serve on both the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the 4th Circuit. Among other things, she has also been a partner in a major law firm, served as an associate professor of law at North Carolina Central University, and as Legal Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Following her retirement from the bench, Judge Duncan joined JAMS, an organization providing Alternative Dispute Resolution, Arbitration and Mediation Services, focusing on complex civil and commercial matters. She nevertheless remains very active in her profession and community.