Honorable Tamara O. Mitchell has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Alabama since January 4, 1992, and served as Chief Bankruptcy Judge from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2003.  Judge Mitchell received her B.S. from the University of South Alabama in Mobile and her J.D. from Whittier College School of Law in Los Angeles, California.  Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Mitchell practiced law in Mobile, Alabama, first as a solo practitioner and later as a partner in the firm of Grodsky & Mitchell.  Her practice consisted of substantial bankruptcy work along with a general civil practice.  Judge Mitchell is a member of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Alabama State Bar, the California State Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association, and the American Bankruptcy Institute.  She has participated in numerous seminars sponsored by bar associations, law schools, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, and the American Bankruptcy Institute.