John Light Napier

John Light Napier (born May 16, 1947) is a politician, lawyer, former member of the United States House of Representatives, and judge from South Carolina.

John L. Napier
Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims
In office October 14, 1986 – July 31, 1989
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Kenneth R. Harkins
Succeeded by	Robert H. Hodges Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 6th district
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	John Jenrette
Succeeded by	Robin Tallon
Personal details
Born	John Light Napier May 16, 1947 Blenheim, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Davidson College (A.B.) University of South Carolina (J.D.)
Occupation	attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Reserve
Years of service	1969–1977
Rank	First Lieutenant

Education

John Light Napier attended public schools in Marlboro County, South Carolina, before college. He graduated from Davidson College in 1969 and earned a J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1972, while serving as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve (which he served in until 1977).

Early career

Napier was admitted to the bar in 1972, and also began to serve as legislative assistant to United States Senator Strom Thurmond, while serving as minority counsel on both the Subcommittee on Administrative Practices and Procedures and the Committee on Veterans Affairs. In 1976, he was made Senator Thurmond's chief legal assistant and legal counsel. In 1977, Napier returned to the private practice of law in Bennettsville, South Carolina, which he maintained until 1980.

House of Representatives

In 1980, Napier was elected to the 97th United States Congress as a Representative from South Carolina's 6th congressional district. He served in this capacity until 1983, having lost his bid for reelection in 1982 to Democrat Robin Tallon.

Later career

Following his defeat in the 1982 election, Napier returned to the private practice of law in Bennettsville, until 1986, when President Ronald Reagan appointed him as judge in the United States Claims Court. He resigned from the court in 1989 and returned to private practice. In 1992 he served as special outside counsel in the House Committee on House Administration’s investigation of the Congressional Post Office scandal.

External links

• United States Congress. "John Light Napier (id: N000005)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• John Light Napier at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.