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Judge Andrew Wilkinson Killed

Judge Andrew Wilkinson Killed

The FJA joins our Maryland state court colleagues in mourning the death of County Circuit Judge Andrew Wilkinson,  who was gunned down in his own driveway yesterday morning. A judge should never face death in the exercise of his or her duty to uphold the law and to ensure the fair administration of justice. We urge justice in the investigation to apprehend his assailant and in the resolution of the case. We highlight the continued need to provide adequate security to our judiciary that this horrific event punctuates.  

 

Important Updates For FJA Members Re: the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act 2020

September 25, 2023

Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act Passes – December 8, 2022 by a 350-80 vote

“Judges, and their families, should not live in fear for doing the job they are sworn to do. As a nation and as a people, we cannot accept this. This legislation will make it harder for violent individuals to find judges’ addresses and other personal information online. By better protecting judges, the bill also helps safeguard the judicial independence guaranteed by the Constitution.”

Read Full Article Here:

https://www.uscourts.gov/news/2022/12/16/congress-passes-daniel-anderl-judicial-security-and-privacy-act

Bill Summary:

https://www.menendez.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/daniel_anderl_judicial_security_and_privacy_act.pdf

 

Judge J. Michelle Childs
President, Federal Judges Association

In Memoriam: Honorable Edward Leavy

August 14, 1929 – March 12, 2023

Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Edward Leavy passed away March 12, 2023, at age 93. He was born August 14, 1929, on the family hop farm near Butteville, Oregon, to parents Patrick Leavy and Ella O’Brien. He was the youngest of their 10 children. His father Patrick died in 1941 when Ed was 11 years old, leaving his mother Ella operating the farm along with his older brothers. Ed grew up working on the family farm, operating crawler tractors and weighing hops during the hand-picking era.

Ed graduated from the University of Portland in 1950, and married his Woodburn High School classmate, Eileen Hagenauer, June 16, 1951. He graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1953, and served as Deputy District Attorney in Eugene, Ore., from 1954 to 1957. He was appointed, and then elected, as Lane County District Judge from 1957 to 1960, and as Lane County Circuit Judge from 1961 to 1976. Ed was selected by Oregon district court judges to serve as U.S. Magistrate for the District of Oregon in Portland from 1976 to 1984. In 1984, President Reagan appointed him to the U.S. District Court of Oregon, where he presided over many civil and criminal trials, including the plea negotiations involving Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers. President Reagan in 1987 appointed Ed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where he served until his death.

Ed assumed senior status on the Ninth Circuit in 1997, but he continued to participate in the court’s cases until last year. In 2001, he was appointed by Chief Justice Rehnquist to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court of Review, serving from 2001 to 2008. As a senior judge, he also served as a mediator in many complex federal cases, including multi-party Oregon pension fraud cases, and numerous precedent-setting mediations involving the Tribes of the Warms Springs, Umatilla, the Yakama Nation, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In 2015, he was selected to receive the prestigious Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award, considered to be among the federal judiciary’s highest honors. At his death, he had served as a judge, on both the state and federal courts, for 66 continuous years.

When not working, Ed was happiest driving a tractor on the farm. In 1972 and 1973, while he was a state circuit court judge in Eugene, he took his annual three-week vacation to help his brother Joe harvest the fall hop crop. He adored sharing the beauty of the farm with others. He also enjoyed woodcutting and crabbing, and spending time with his grandchildren. Ed was always trying to figure out a more efficient system, which he often accomplished when approaching any task, whether at leisure or as a judge. Neighbors and friends were always important in his life, beginning with the neighboring farmers in Butteville, to dear friends in Eugene, and ending with his friends in Charbonneau. In August 2000, Ed and his lifelong friend from boyhood, Foye Harper, visited the birthplace of Ed’s father in Westmeath, Ireland, locating many of the graves of his ancestors.

Ed is survived by his wife of 71 years, Eileen; three sons, Thomas, Patrick (Jean Ann), and Paul (Trisha); and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughters, Susan Ann and Mary Kay (Mark Brown).

 

In Memoriam: Honorable Robert A. Katzmann

April 22, 1953 – June 9, 2021

Judge Robert A. Katzmann ’80, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, died on June 9, 2021 at the age of 68. . His death was announced by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, Debra A. Livingston.

In Memoriam: Honorable Sandra J. Feuerstein

January 21, 1946 – April 9, 2021

Statement from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York – April 10, 2021

Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York was fatally struck by a vehicle Friday, April 9, on Ocean Boulevard in Boca Raton, Florida, in a reported hit-and-run crash.

Nominated to the federal bench by George W. Bush in 2003, Judge Feuerstein had been deciding cases in the Central Islip courthouse on Long Island for nearly twenty years, prior to which she served as a state court judge for sixteen years.

Born in New York City in 1946, Judge Feuerstein worked as a teacher in the New York City public school system from 1966 to 1971 before attending law school at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where she graduated with honors in 1979 as part of the school’s first graduating class.

After graduating law school, she began her legal career as a law clerk in the law department of the New York Supreme Court from 1980 to 1985 and for Justice Leo H. McGinity of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department, from 1985 to 1987.

Prior to her nomination to the federal bench, Judge Feuerstein served as a judge on the Nassau County District Court from 1987 to 1994, as a Justice on the New York Supreme Court Tenth Judicial District from 1994 to 1999, and as an Associate Justice of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department, from 1999 to 2003. She was the first woman from the Tenth Judicial District to serve on the Appellate Division.

Judge Feuerstein was sworn in as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court by her mother, Judge Annette Elstein of the Immigration Court in New York. They are believed to be the first mother-daughter judges in the United States, according to Columbia Law School.

Judge Feuerstein was a treasured member of our Eastern District Bench.  Her eccentric style and warm personality lit up the courtroom.  She will be missed by her colleagues and litigants alike.

Messages from the FJA President

FJA Updates Re: Daniel Anderl Judicial Security Bill
February 20, 2021

Greetings, FJA Colleagues.

In December, the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security Bill was presented for unanimous consent to the United States Senate, which unfortunately did not pass the bill. We are hopeful that this bi-partisan legislation will soon be presented to the new Congress as it continues to have consistent and ardent support for securing its measures for the safety of our judges. Most vocal of those supporters is Judge Esther Salas, our colleague, who has been a tireless, articulate and persuasive advocate for the improvements addressed in the bill that was named for her only child, Daniel Anderl.

Judge Salas shares the below news link with you. Her interview with Gayle King is upcoming. Also covering the important issues concerning the threats to judicial security are 48 Hours (Saturday, 2/20) and 60 Minutes (2/21).

The Federal Judges Association will continue to support increased security measures to protect our Judiciary. We have and continue to support the Judicial Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts which continue to work tirelessly for the necessary improvements to adequately protect us, our families and our court family.

Sincerely,

Cynthia M. Rufe,
President

In Memoriam: Honorable Peter W. Hall

November 9, 1948 – March 11, 2021

Peter W. Hall, a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, a former United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, a prominent figure in the Rutland, Vermont, community, and a beloved colleague, family member and friend, died on March 11, 2021 in Rutland. He was 72 years old. His passing was announced by Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston. Speaking on behalf of the Court, Chief Judge Livingston said, “Judge Hall was our beloved colleague, and this is a grievous loss for our Court and for all of our judges.”

Please feel free to share your memories or condolences with the FJA.

IAJ Letter to FJA Peter Hall


FJA Response to IAJ Peter Hall


Very sorry to hear of Peter’s untimely death..he was an excellent chair of the first study commission of the IAJ where I first encountered him. Humane patient and generous with his knowledge. A pleasure to work with.

Sir Nicholas Blake Retired Judge of the High Court of England and Wales


Peter W. Hall, a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, a former United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, a prominent figure in the Rutland, Vermont, community, and a beloved colleague, family member and friend, died on March 11, 2021 in Rutland. He was 72 years old. His passing was announced by Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston. Speaking on behalf of the Court, Chief Judge Livingston said, “Judge Hall was our beloved colleague, and this is a grievous loss for our Court and for all of our judges.”

Over the course of nearly seventeen years on the Court of Appeals, Judge Hall distinguished himself as a thoughtful and humane jurist. He was generous with his colleagues and ever considerate in matters both big and small. Judge Hall was committed to public service and taught us all by his example. He was a kind and very dear friend. This is a sad day for the judges of the Court of Appeals.” Judge Hall was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit by President George W. Bush and he entered judicial service in July 2004. He served with distinction on that Court, which hears appeals from the federal district courts in New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. The Court of Appeals is regarded as one of the nation’s finest courts, with special prominence in commercial and financial cases, as well as criminal cases on appeal from the districts that the Court serves. Judge Hall brought to the Court a wealth of relevant experience.

Judge Hall was born on November 9, 1948, in Hartford, Connecticut, at Hartford Hospital, where his grandfather was chief of staff. His father was an educator whose responsibilities took him to the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, and on to Montclair Academy in New Jersey, where he served as headmaster. The family took up residence in Vermont when Judge Hall was eleven and Judge Hall, whose great-great[1]grandfather, Peter Washburn, served as the State’s governor, always considered himself a native Vermonter. Judge Hall attended Hotchkiss and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar.

After graduation and a year as a high school teacher, he returned to the University for a master’s degree and a stint as assistant dean of students. Judge Hall attended Cornell Law school where he served as president of the Legal Aid Clinic. He graduated cum laude in 1977. The next year, he served as law clerk to Judge Albert Coffrin of the District of Vermont. Following his clerkship, Hall joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. The office then had four attorneys (including the United States Attorney). After three years, the office grew to eight attorneys and Judge Hall became First Assistant United States Attorney.

In 1986, after eight years as a prosecutor, Judge Hall left government service to form Reiber, Kenlan, Schwiebert, Hall and Facey P.C. The firm eventually grew to fourteen attorneys—large by Vermont standards. Its practice included commercial and tort litigation, attorney malpractice defense, the defense of state prosecutors accused of ethical violations, as well as a significant mediation practice. During this time Judge Hall served as president of the Vermont Bar Association and of the Rutland County Bar Association. In 1997 he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. In the fall of 2001, Judge Hall was confirmed by the Senate as United States Attorney for the District of Vermont.

During his three-year tenure, as the office thrived, he was proud of its significantly expanded community outreach and particularly its work to help address the State’s growing substance abuse problems. Stephen Flynn, a dear friend of Judge Hall’s from his days in government service commented: “As I have gotten older, I have found that I have fewer heroes in my life—the inevitable outcome of becoming more skeptical with age and with the inability of most of us to keep doing the right thing year after year. But Peter Hall has always been and will always be one of my true heroes.”

And Judge Hall was equally dedicated to the work of the Court, to its obligation of evenhanded service to all and to its commitment to professional excellence. Judge Hall knew who he was and he knew what was important. One of Judge Hall’s passions was service to the international judicial community. From 2007 to 2016 he was a delegate from the Federal Judge’s Association to the International Association of Judges. In this capacity he traveled the world, working with foreign judiciaries on matters of administration, independence, continuing education and governmental relations.

Judge Hall left a lasting mark on a generation of law clerks. The bonds were close and the affections were mutual. One recently reminisced: “One winter morning we were working away in chambers and he had not turned up. Not unusual but we were all wondering if something had happened. He rolled in midday with his dirty work pants and torn flannel shirt—in other words, no more haggard than usual. He explained that he had taken his truck through the woods that morning after taking care of the horses, but had gotten stuck. Luckily he had an axe, so it was only a matter of chopping down a few trees to put under the truck tires for traction. He freed himself and made his way into chambers like it was nothing: just another day on the Second Circuit.”

Judge Hall is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Dunton, by five children, and five grandchildren. Peter Hall lived a life of fidelity to principles, kindness to individuals, and service to the human community. He will be greatly missed.

Debra Livingston, Chief Judge of the Second Circuit


Read Judge Peter Hall’s obituary, published in the Rutland Herald

In Memoriam: Honorable Philip R. Martinez

July 13, 1957 – February 26, 2021

The Western District of Texas is deeply mourning the loss of U.S. District Judge Philip R. Martinez, who passed away very unexpectedly on Friday, February 26, 2021. Judge Martinez was a native El Pasoan. He received his B.A. in Political Science with High Honors from his beloved University of Texas at El Paso and his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1982.

He was elected Judge of El Paso County Court at Law #1 in 1990, and subsequently was appointed and re-elected to the 327th Judicial District Court. In 2001, Judge Martinez was nominated by President George W. Bush to the United States District Court bench in the El Paso Division of the Western District of Texas, receiving his commission on February 12, 2002.

Judge Martinez’s service to the public extended far beyond work on his court. With the federal courts, his service included being appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts as a member of the Court Administration and Case Management Committee for the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policy making body of the federal courts. He was also a member of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Court Compensation Study Focus Group and Executive Committee Member of the Federal Judges Association.

Judge Martinez was very involved in leadership positions in professional organizations. At the state level, Judge Martinez served as Chair of the State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law and Judicial Sections and as Director of the Texas Center for the Judiciary. At the national level, he served as Chair of both the American Bar Association’s (ABA) National Conference of Federal Trial Judges and Standing Committee on Diversity of the Judiciary. He was a longtime and active member of the ABA, the Federal Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the El Paso Bar Association, the George McAlmon American Inns of Court, and the Mexican American Bar Association.

In civic organizations, he served as Director and Co-Chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; Director of the El Paso Holocaust Museum; and Co-Chair of the UTEP Centennial Commission. Judge Martinez was also a very accomplished golfer and pianist.

Judge Martinez is survived by his wife, Mayela; his daughters Jaclyn and Lauren, and their spouses; his grandson, Bobby; and his parents, Phil and Lina Martinez.

His passing is a tremendous loss for the Western District of Texas and to the legal profession. Judge Martinez was widely respected and admired as a jurist of great intellect, hard work, impeccable professional ethics, and a deep passion for justice. His family, many friends, and co-workers will remember him as an extremely kind, gentle, and thoughtful person, with a warm, ready smile. We are all truly saddened by the passing of a dear colleague. His public service will long be remembered.

United States District Court, Western District of Texas

Please feel free to share your memories or condolences with the FJA.

Holiday Greetings from the FJA

 

December 24, 2020

Dear Colleagues,
Please join another of our esteemed FJA colleagues, Circuit Judge James E. Graves, as he brings us on a virtual tour of his wonderful Black Santa collection. Judge Graves serves as a Fifth Circuit Director, and with his permission shares with us his delightful tradition. Hopefully this will bring a little joy and some smiles into your holiday season.

Enjoy and special thanks to Judge Graves.

Happy Holidays to all!

View the Virtual Tour

Important Updates For FJA Members Re: the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act 2020

December 18, 2020

The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act 2020, S. 4711, was presented for unanimous consent to the United States Senate today by Senators Menendez and Booker. Due to the objection of one Senator, the consent was not achieved, and it will be reintroduced in January. This bill has strong bipartisan support in both Houses ( H.R. 8591) and is supported by the Judicial Conference of the United States Courts. The Administrative Office has sought its measures to meet the immediate and ongoing security needs of the federal judiciary. Our Association and the associations of the Federal Magistrate Judges and the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges have actively sought the Bills’ passage. Numerous legal groups have endorsed the Bills in the Senate and the House. Here is what happened today:

https://www.c-span.org/video/standalone/?507342-1/senate-session&noMax&clipping&start=23490

https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/kentucky-senator-blocks-federal-daniels-law/

We thank the Senators for their efforts on our behalf and offer our continued support to pass the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act 2020 into law. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts has been tireless in their advocacy for improved security measures for the federal courts, and deserves our gratitude. As Director James Duff reported today, “ It is disappointing that this critical legislation, which enjoys bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, did not obtain the unanimous consent required to pass the Senate in this busy lame duck session. Nevertheless, we are extremely grateful to those who have supported this bill and fully expect it to be taken up at the start of the next session of Congress. The nation’s judges depend on it.” See U.S. Courts News, December 17, 2020.

Our dedication to this noble and necessary cause will not wane. Our judicial colleagues that have suffered unspeakable personal losses serve as constant reminders of what measures must be achieved for adequate and appropriate security for judges. The new year will bring with it new challenges, and we will continue to meet them head on.

Respectfully,

Cynthia M. Rufe
President, Federal Judges Association