Britt was born in
McDonald, North Carolina. He is the younger brother of
David M. Britt. He received a
Bachelor of Science degree from
Wake Forest University in 1956 and a
Bachelor of Laws from
Wake Forest University School of Law in 1958. He was in the
United States Army (SP-4) from 1953 to 1955. He was a
law clerk for Justice
Emery B. Denny of the
North Carolina Supreme Court from 1958 to 1959. He was in private practice of law in
Fairmont and
Lumberton, North Carolina from 1959 to 1980.
Federal judicial service Britt was nominated by President
Jimmy Carter on April 14, 1980, to a seat on the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina vacated by Judge
John Davis Larkins Jr. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on May 21, 1980, and received his commission on May 23, 1980. He served as chief judge from 1983 to 1990. Britt assumed
senior status on December 7, 1997. As of 2020, Britt is the last judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina to be appointed by a Democratic president. ==See also==