Upon graduation from law school, Holder White served as an assistant state's attorney for Macon County. While there, she handled various matters ranging from traffic to criminal felony cases. Subsequently, Holder White served as an assistant public defender litigating on behalf of those charged with criminal offenses and representing abused and neglected juveniles. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Holder White was in private practice at the Decatur law firm formerly known as Brinkoetter & White.[3]
Judicial career
In 2001, Holder White was appointed to the office of associate judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. In 2008, she was appointed by the Supreme Court as a circuit judge of the same court and was elected to that position in November 2010.[3]
On December 20, 2012, Holder White was assigned to the Fourth District Appellate Court to fill the vacancy left by the death of Judge John McCullough.[4] On January 14, 2013, Holder White was sworn into office, becoming the first African American to be seated on the court.[5][6] Holder White was subsequently appointed to the same seat in July 2014 and ultimately elected to that office in November 2014.[7]
Appointment to supreme court
On May 10, 2022, Holder White was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Rita Garman. Holder White was sworn in by Justice Mary Jane Theis on July 7, 2022.[8] Her appointment was effective July 8, 2022, and she became the first African American woman to serve on the court.[9][10][11] The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Eugene Doherty, a Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, to the position vacated by Holder White for a period effective July 14, 2022, and terminating December 2, 2024.[12]
Memberships and associations
Holder White is a member of the following associations and boards:[13]
Decatur Bar Association
Illinois Judges Association
Community Foundation of Macon County Board
Millikin University Board
Personal life
Holder White is married to her husband James and they have two children.[13] She is a Republican.[14]
Holder White was assigned to the Fourth District Appellate Court effective January 2013 to fill the vacancy left by the death of John T. McCullough.[15] She ran unopposed in both the Republican primary and general election.[16] This was a regular election, as McCullough's term ended in 2014.[15]
Republican primary
Illinois Appellate Court 4th district (McCullough vacancy) Republican primary[16]
