Background
McMillan, James Bryan was born on December 19, 1916 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, United States. Son of Robert Hunter and Louise (Outlaw) McMillan.
McMillan, James Bryan was born on December 19, 1916 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, United States. Son of Robert Hunter and Louise (Outlaw) McMillan.
Graduate, Presbyterian Junior College, 1934. Bachelor of Arts North Carolina, 1937. Juris Doctor, Harvard University, 1940.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Belmont Abbey College, 1982. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Davidson College, 1984. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Johnson C. Smith College, 1985.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), University North Carolina, 1988. Doctor of Laws (honorary), St. Andrews Presbyterian College, 1989. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University North Carolina, Charlotte, 1990.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Queens College, 1991.
Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, McMillan received an Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1937 and an Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1940. He was a Staff attorney for the North Carolina Attorney General" General’ s Office from 1940 to 1942. He was in the United States Navy Senior Lieutenant during World World War II, from 1942 to 1946.
He was in private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina from 1946 to 1968.
He was a Judge pro tem on the Charlotte City Court, Charlotte, North Carolina from 1947 to 1951. He was a Lecturer at the University of North Carolina School of Law from 1975 to 1979.
He was a Lecturer at the University of Florida College of Law from 1979 to 1980. McMillan was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
McMillan was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 25, 1968, to a seat vacated by Wilson Warlick.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 6, 1968, and received his commission on June 7, 1968. In the spring of 1970, McMillan became one of the first United States district court judges to explicitly approve busing as a remedy for racially segregated schools. In the case, McMillan also set racial balance as a standard by which progress in desegregation could be measured.
Instantly controversial, McMillan received death threats due to his opinion, and needed to be placed under police protection.
The case (Swann vs Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education) soon reached the Supreme Court, where it was the subject of intense debate and negotiations among the justices. Eventually, a unanimous Court ruled to uphold McMillan"s orders.
He assumed senior status on September 1, 1989. McMillan served in that capacity until his death, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
President Travelers Aid Society, 1957-1959. Board visitors Davidson College Lieutenant United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1946, European Theatre of Operations. Fellow International Academy Trial Lawyers.
Member American Bar Association, 26th District Bar Association (president 1957-1958), North Carolina Bar Association (president 1960-1961), American Judicature Society (director 1984-1995). United World Federalists, Newcomen Society, St. Andrews College Alumni Association (president 1965-1966), Order of Coif, Golden Fleece, Omicron Delta Kappa.
Married Margaret Blair Miles, February 27, 1944 (deceased March 1985). Children: James Bryan, Marjorie Miles Rodell. Married Holly Smith Neaves, August 23, 1987.