**Senior Judge Rebecca Beach Smith** was appointed to the Eastern District of Virginia by President George H.W. Bush in 1989. She assumed senior status on August 1, 2019, after serving as Chief Judge from 2011 to 2018 — the first woman to serve as Chief Judge of this court. Born in 1949 in Hopewell, Virginia, Judge Smith clerked for Judge Joseph Calvitt Clarke Jr. of this court after law school, then was in private practice at a large Norfolk firm from 1980 to 1985. She was appointed a U.S. Magistrate Judge in this court in 1985, serving until her elevation to the district bench. She was nominated by President Bush on August 4, 1989, confirmed on October 24, 1989, and received her commission on October 25, 1989. She is known for the 2011 ruling on artifacts salvaged from the wreck of the RMS Titanic. **Education** - College of William and Mary School of Law, J.D., 1979 - University of Virginia, M.A., 1973 - College of William and Mary, B.A., 1971 **Career** - Senior U.S. District Judge (Chief Judge 2011–2018), Eastern District of Virginia (Norfolk Division), senior status since August 1, 2019 - U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, 1989–2019 - U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, 1985–1989 - Private practice, large firm in Norfolk, Virginia, 1980–1985 - Law clerk, Hon. Joseph Calvitt Clarke Jr., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1979–1980
**Division:** Norfolk **Courthouse:** Walter E. Hoffman United States Courthouse, 600 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
The rule requires court order. Court registry deposits require a signed court order from the presiding judge.
The rule requires cris investment only. CRIS is the only authorized investment mechanism for court registry funds.
The rule does not state that a motion to seal is required for the covered filing process. Transportation Orders for prisoner debriefings/interviews may be filed under seal
Court registry deposits require a signed court order from the presiding judge.
Party must serve deposit order on Clerk of Court.
CRIS is the only authorized investment mechanism for court registry funds.
Interpleader funds must be deposited in CRIS DOF for tax administration.
10 basis point CRIS fee deducted from interest earnings before distribution.
20 basis point DOF fee plus federal tax withholding for interpleader funds.
Transportation Orders for prisoner debriefings/interviews may be filed under seal
Sealed Transportation Orders must be shared with specific parties
Sealed Transportation Orders remain sealed unless court orders otherwise
Transportation Orders for prisoner debriefings or interviews must be filed under seal with 'UNDER SEAL' marked on the face sheet.
Transportation Orders must have 'UNDER SEAL' marked on the face sheet when filing.