Background
Gilliam, Earl B. was born on August 17, 1931 in Clovis, New Mexico, United States. Son of James Earl and Lula Mae Gilliam.
Gilliam, Earl B. was born on August 17, 1931 in Clovis, New Mexico, United States. Son of James Earl and Lula Mae Gilliam.
San Diego State University (Bachelor of Arts). University of California Hastings College of the Law (Juris Doctor).
Born in Clovis, New Mexico, Gilliam received a Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University in 1953 and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1957. Gilliam was a Deputy district attorney of San Diego County, California from 1957 to 1961. He was in private practice in San Diego, California from 1961 to 1963.
Gilliam was a judge on the San Diego Municipal Court from 1963 to 1975.
He was a judge on the San Diego County Superior Court from 1975 to 1980. Gilliam was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
Gilliam was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on December 7, 1979, to a new seat created by 92 Statistics 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 19, 1980, and received his commission on August 20, 1980.
He assumed senior status on April 2, 1993.
Gilliam served in that capacity until January 28, 2001, due to his death. Gilliam was the first African American United States. District Court judge for the Southern District of California and the first African American judge for the San Diego County Superior Court.
Married Rebecca L. Prater. Children: Earl Kenneth, Derrick James.