Michael B. Thornton

For other people named Michael Thornton, see Michael Thornton (disambiguation).

Michael Bert Thornton (born February 9, 1954) is an American lawyer who serves as a senior judge of the United States Tax Court.

Michael Thornton
Thornton in 2013
Senior Judge of the United States Tax Court
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2021
Chief Judge of the United States Tax Court
In office August 7, 2013 – May 31, 2016
Preceded by	John O. Colvin (acting)
Succeeded by	L. Paige Marvel
In office June 1, 2012 – March 7, 2013
Preceded by	John O. Colvin
Succeeded by	John O. Colvin (acting)
Judge of the United States Tax Court
In office August 7, 2013 – January 1, 2021
Appointed by	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Himself
Succeeded by	Jeffrey Arbeit
In office March 8, 1998 – March 7, 2013
Appointed by	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Lapsley Hamblen
Succeeded by	Himself
Personal details
Born	Michael Bert Thornton (1954-02-09) February 9, 1954 (age 71) Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Education	University of Southern Mississippi (BS, MS) University of Tennessee, Knoxville (MA) Duke University (JD)

Early life and education

Thornton was born on February 9, 1954, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.^[1] He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 1976. In 1977, he graduated from the same school with a Master of Science in accounting. In 1979, he graduated with a Master of Arts in English literature from the University of Tennessee. In 1982, he graduated with distinction with a Juris Doctor degree from Duke University School of Law, where he served on the Duke Law Journal, and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He served as law clerk to Charles Clark, chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit from 1983 to 1984.

Tax Court service

Thornton was appointed by President Bill Clinton as Judge of the United States Tax Court on March 8, 1998, for a fifteen-year term ending March 7, 2013. He has served as Chief Judge since 2012 (save for the period from March 8 through August 6, 2013). He was subsequently renominated by President Barack Obama on May 9, 2013, for an additional fifteen-year term, which was confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2013. He assumed senior status on January 1, 2021.

Accomplishments and employment

• Practiced law as an Associate attorney, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, Washington, D.C., summer 1981, and 1982–1983
• Miller & Chevalier, Washington, D.C., 1985–1988
• Served as Tax Counsel, United States House Committee on Ways and Means, 1988–1993
• Chief Minority Tax Counsel, United States House Committee on Ways and Means, January 1995
• Attorney-Adviser, United States Department of the Treasury, February–April 1995
• Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel in the Office of Tax Policy, United States Department of the Treasury, April 1995 – February 1998
• Recipient of Treasury Secretary's Annual Award, United States Department of the Treasury, 1997
• Meritorious Service Award, United States Department of the Treasury, 1998