The Browning lecture series honors Judge James R. Browning of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Browning, who was raised in Belt, Montana, graduated from The University of Montana School of Law in 1941. He was a member of the first editorial board of the Montana Law Review and ultimately served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review.

In September of 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Judge Browning to the Ninth Circuit on which the Judge continues to serve today. His nearly 45-year tenure on the Court is the second longest of any federal judge in the country. Prior to joining the court, Judge Browning was Clerk of the United States Supreme Court.

Judge Browning served with distinction as Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit from 1976 to 1988. As Chief Judge, Judge Browning was credited with reorganizing and modernizing the administration of the Ninth Circuit. Thanks to his political savvy and remarkable leadership skills, Judge Browning was successful in keeping the Ninth Circuit intact despite persistent efforts to divide the circuit.

In 1991, Judge Browning received the coveted Edward J. Devitt Award for Distinguished Service to Justice, an award presented annually to a federal judge. In September of 2001, the State Bar of Montana bestowed on Judge Browning the Bar’s highest honor, the William J. Jameson Award. In 2005, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals building in San Francisco was renamed the James R. Browning United States Courthouse.

Judge Browning is married to Marie Rose Chapell, also a University of Montana graduate. Together, they have been a powerful force in ensuring that the modern Ninth Circuit is marked by inclusiveness and collegiality.