Walter Thomas McGovern (May 24, 1922 – July 8, 2021) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Walter T. McGovern | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington | |
| In office September 30, 1987 – July 8, 2021 | |
| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington | |
| In office 1975–1987 | |
| Preceded by | William Nelson Goodwin |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Jacobs Rothstein |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington | |
| In office April 23, 1971 – September 30, 1987 | |
| Appointed by | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | William James Lindberg |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Samuel Zilly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 24, 1922 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | July 8, 2021 (aged 99) |
| Education | University of Washington (BA, LLB) |
Education and career
editBorn in Seattle, Washington in May 1922, McGovern received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1949 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Washington School of Law in 1950. He was in private practice in Seattle from 1950 to 1959. He was a judge of the Municipal Court of Seattle from 1959 to 1965, on the King County Superior Court from 1965 to 1968, and on the Washington State Supreme Court from 1968 to 1971.[1] He was initially appointed to the state supreme court by Governor Dan Evans, to a seat vacated by the retirement of Charles T. Donworth.[2]
Federal judicial service
editOn March 29, 1971, McGovern was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington vacated by Judge William James Lindberg. McGovern was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 21, 1971, and received his commission on April 23, 1971. He served as Chief Judge from 1975 to 1987, assuming senior status on September 30, 1987.[1] He died on July 8, 2021, at the age of 99.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Walter Thomas McGovern at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- ^ "McGovern Named To High Bench By Evans", The Olympian (December 5, 1967), p. 10.
- ^ "Walter McGovern, federal judge in Seattle for half a century, dies at 99". The Seattle Times. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
Sources
edit- Walter Thomas McGovern at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
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