United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

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United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
(E.D. Pa.)
Seal of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Appeals to Third Circuit
Established April 20, 1818
Judges assigned 22
Chief judge Petrese B. Tucker
Official site
The James A. Byrne Courthouse in Philadelphia

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (in case citations, E.D. Pa.) is one of the original 13 federal judiciary districts created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. It originally sat in Independence Hall in Philadelphia as the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania, and is now located at the James Byrne Courthouse at 601 Market Street in Philadelphia.

The Court's jurisdiction includes Philadelphia, as well as Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties. The district is a part of the Third Circuit, and appeals are taken to that Circuit (except for patent claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit).

Currently the Federal District Courts are undergoing some policy changes, which includes court fees associated with the filing and prosecution of a number of actions. According to the National Bulletin, Vol 60, Page 188 [12 August 2011] these changes are designed to 'eliminate undue litigation while promptly addressing issues brought forward for review by the general public,' and though the fees and costs were not specifically addressed, a potential litigant needs further inquiry prior to filing any type of legal claim.

The people in the district are represented by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. There are Eastern District federal courtrooms in Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, and Easton.

The current Chief Judge for the Eastern Pennsylvania District Court is Judge Petrese B. Tucker. The current United States Marshal for the Eastern Pennsylvania District Court is David Blake Webb.

Contents

History [edit]

The United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania was one of the original 13 courts established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, 1 Stat. 73, on September 24, 1789.[1][2] It was subdivided on April 20, 1818, by 3 Stat. 462,[1][2] into the Eastern and Western Districts to be headquartered in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, respectively.[1] Portions of these districts were subsequently subdivided into the Middle District on March 2, 1901, by 31 Stat. 880.[2] At the time of its initial subdivision, presiding judge Richard Peters, Jr. was reassigned to only the Eastern District.

Current judges [edit]

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has 22 authorized judgeships, filled by judges appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. In addition, judges who have taken senior status continue to hear cases. There are currently 36 judges, including both active and senior judges. The Chief Judge of the District is Judge Petrese B. Tucker.

  • As of June 8, 2009, a vacancy exists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to Judge Anita B. Brody's decision to take senior status. On November 27, 2012, Luis Felipe Restrepo was nominated to fill the vacancy.
  • As of July 31, 2010, a second vacancy exists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to the death of Judge Thomas M. Golden. On November 27, 2012, Jeffrey L. Schmehl was nominated to fill the vacancy.
  • As of February 1, 2011, a third vacancy exists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to Judge Richard Barclay Surrick's decision to take senior status. On November 27, 2012, Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro was nominated to fill the vacancy.
  • As of October 1, 2011, a fourth vacancy exists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to Judge Harvey Bartle III's decision to take senior status. No replacement nomination is pending at this time.
  • As of June 18, 2012, a fifth vacancy exists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to Judge Berle Schiller's decision to take senior status. No replacement nomination is pending at this time.
  • As of July 13, 2012, a sixth vacancy exists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to Judge Michael M. Baylson's decision to take senior status. No replacement nomination is pending at this time.
  • As of May 1, 2013, a seventh vacancy exists in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to Chief Judge J. Curtis Joyner's decision to take senior status. No replacement nomination is pending at this time.
# Title Judge Duty station Born Term of service Appointed by
Active Chief Senior
76 Chief Judge Petrese B. Tucker Philadelphia 1951 2000–present 2013—present — Clinton
67 District Judge Stewart Dalzell Philadelphia 1943 1991–present — — G.H.W. Bush
71 District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno Philadelphia 1945 1992–present — — G.H.W. Bush
75 District Judge Mary A. McLaughlin Philadelphia 1946 2000–present — — Clinton
79 District Judge Legrome D. Davis Philadelphia 1952 2002–present — — G.W. Bush
80 District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe Philadelphia 1948 2002–present — — G.W. Bush
82 District Judge Timothy J. Savage Philadelphia 1946 2002–present — — G.W. Bush
83 District Judge James Knoll Gardner Allentown 1940 2002–present — — G.W. Bush
84 District Judge Gene E. K. Pratter Philadelphia 1949 2004–present — — G.W. Bush
85 District Judge Lawrence F. Stengel Reading 1952 2004–present — — G.W. Bush
86 District Judge Paul S. Diamond Philadelphia 1953 2004–present — — G.W. Bush
87 District Judge Juan Ramon Sanchez Philadelphia 1955 2004–present — — G.W. Bush
89 District Judge Joel Harvey Slomsky Philadelphia 1946 2008–present — — G.W. Bush
90 District Judge C. Darnell Jones II Philadelphia 1949 2008–present — — G.W. Bush
91 District Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg Philadelphia 1959 2008–present — — G.W. Bush
— District Judge vacant — — — — — —
— District Judge vacant — — — — — —
— District Judge vacant — — — — — —
— District Judge vacant — — — — — —
— District Judge vacant — — — — — —
— District Judge vacant — — — — — —
— District Judge vacant — — — — — —
33 Senior District Judge John P. Fullam inactive 1921 1966–1990 1986–1990 1990–present L. Johnson
39 Senior District Judge John William Ditter, Jr. Philadelphia 1921 1970–1986 — 1986–present Nixon
41 Senior District Judge Donald West VanArtsdalen Philadelphia 1919 1970–1985 — 1985–present Nixon
51 Senior District Judge Norma Levy Shapiro Philadelphia 1928 1978–1998 — 1998–present Carter
53 Senior District Judge Thomas Newman O'Neill, Jr. Philadelphia 1928 1983–1996 — 1996–present Reagan
57 Senior District Judge Edmund V. Ludwig Philadelphia 1928 1985–1997 — 1997–present Reagan
58 Senior District Judge Robert F. Kelly Philadelphia 1935 1987–2001 — 2001–present Reagan
61 Senior District Judge Lowell A. Reed, Jr. Philadelphia 1930 1988–1999 — 1999–present Reagan
62 Senior District Judge Jan E. DuBois Philadelphia 1931 1988–2002 — 2002–present Reagan
65 Senior District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter Philadelphia 1936 1990–2003 — 2003–present G.H.W. Bush
66 Senior District Judge Harvey Bartle III Philadelphia 1941 1991–2011 2006–2011 2011–present G.H.W. Bush
68 Senior District Judge William H. Yohn, Jr. Philadelphia 1935 1991–2003 — 2003–present G.H.W. Bush
69 Senior District Judge John R. Padova Philadelphia 1935 1992–2008 — 2008–present G.H.W. Bush
70 Senior District Judge J. Curtis Joyner Philadelphia 1948 1992–2013 2011–2013 2013-present G.H.W. Bush
72 Senior District Judge Anita B. Brody Philadelphia 1935 1992–2009 — 2009–present G.H.W. Bush
77 Senior District Judge Berle M. Schiller Philadelphia 1944 2000–2012 — 2012–present Clinton
78 Senior District Judge Richard Barclay Surrick Philadelphia 1937 2000–2011 — 2011–present Clinton
81 Senior District Judge Michael M. Baylson Philadelphia 1939 2002–2012 — 2012–present G.W. Bush

Former judges [edit]

# Judge State Born/Died Active service Term as Chief Judge Senior status Appointed by Reason for
termination
1 Peters, Jr., RichardRichard Peters, Jr. PA 1744–1828 1818–1828 — — Washington, Washington death
2 Hopkinson, JosephJoseph Hopkinson PA 1770–1842 1828–1842[3] — — Adams, J.Q.J.Q. Adams death
3 Randall, ArchibaldArchibald Randall PA 1797–1846 1842–1846 — — Tyler, Tyler death
4 Kane, John K.John K. Kane PA 1795–1858 1846–1858 — — Polk, Polk death
5 Cadwalader, JohnJohn Cadwalader PA 1805–1879 1858–1879 — — Buchanan, Buchanan death
6 Butler, WilliamWilliam Butler PA 1822–1909 1879–1899 — — Hayes, Hayes retirement
7 McPherson, John BayardJohn Bayard McPherson PA 1846–1919 1899–1912 — — McKinley, McKinley reappointment
8 Holland, James BuchananJames Buchanan Holland PA 1857–1914 1904–1914 — — Roosevelt, T.T. Roosevelt death
9 Thompson, Joseph WhitakerJoseph Whitaker Thompson PA 1861–1946 1912–1931 — — Taft, Taft reappointment
10 Dickinson, Oliver BoothOliver Booth Dickinson PA 1857–1939 1914–1939 — — Wilson, Wilson death
11 McKeehan, Charles LouisCharles Louis McKeehan PA 1876–1925 1923–1925 — — Harding, Harding death
12 Kirkpatrick, William HuntingtonWilliam Huntington Kirkpatrick PA 1885–1970 1927–1958 1948–1958 1958–1970 Coolidge, Coolidge death
13 Welsh, George AustinGeorge Austin Welsh PA 1878–1970 1932–1957 — 1957–1970 Hoover, Hoover death
14 Maris, Albert BransonAlbert Branson Maris PA 1893–1989 1936–1938 — — Roosevelt, F.F. Roosevelt reappointment
15 Kalodner, Harry EllisHarry Ellis Kalodner PA 1896–1977 1938–1946[4] — — Roosevelt, F.F. Roosevelt reappointment
16 Bard, Guy K.Guy K. Bard PA 1895–1953 1939–1952[5] — — Roosevelt, F.F. Roosevelt resignation
17 Ganey, James CullenJames Cullen Ganey PA 1899–1972 1940–1961 1958–1961 — Roosevelt, F.F. Roosevelt reappointment
18 Follmer, Frederick VorisFrederick Voris Follmer PA 1885–1971 1946–1955 — — Truman, Truman reassignment
19 McGranery, James P.James P. McGranery PA 1895–1962 1946–1952 — — Truman, Truman resignation
20 Clary, Thomas JamesThomas James Clary PA 1899–1977 1949–1969[6] 1961–1969 1969–1977 Truman, Truman death
21 Grim, Allan KuhnAllan Kuhn Grim PA 1904–1965 1949–1961[7] — 1961–1965 Truman, Truman death
22 Lord, Jr., John WhitakerJohn Whitaker Lord, Jr. PA 1901–1972 1954–1971 1969–1971 1971–1972 Eisenhower, Eisenhower death
23 Van Dusen, Francis LundFrancis Lund Van Dusen PA 1912–1993 1955–1967 — — Eisenhower, Eisenhower reappointment
24 Kraft, Jr., Charles WilliamCharles William Kraft, Jr. PA 1903–2002 1955–1970[8] — 1970–2002 Eisenhower, Eisenhower death
25 Egan, Thomas C.Thomas C. Egan PA 1894–1961 1957–1961 — — Eisenhower, Eisenhower death
26 Wood, Harold KennethHarold Kenneth Wood PA 1906–1972 1959–1971 — 1971–1972 Eisenhower, Eisenhower death
27 Lord III, Joseph SimonJoseph Simon Lord III PA 1912–1991 1961–1982 1971–1982 1982–1991 Kennedy, Kennedy death
28 Freedman, Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln Freedman PA 1904–1971 1961–1964 — — Kennedy, Kennedy reappointment
29 Luongo, Alfred LeopoldAlfred Leopold Luongo PA 1920–1986 1961–1986 1982–1986 — Kennedy, Kennedy death
30 Body, Ralph C.Ralph C. Body PA 1903–1973 1962–1972 — 1972–1973 Kennedy, Kennedy death
31 Higginbotham Jr., Aloyisus LeonAloyisus Leon Higginbotham Jr. PA 1928–1998 1964–1977[9] — — Johnson, L.L. Johnson reappointment
32 Davis, John MorganJohn Morgan Davis PA 1906–1984 1964–1974[9] — 1974–1984 Johnson, L.L. Johnson death
34 Weiner, Charles R.Charles R. Weiner PA 1922–2005 1967–1988 — 1988–2005 Johnson, L.L. Johnson death
35 Masterson, Thomas AmbroseThomas Ambrose Masterson PA 1927–2000 1967–1973 — — Johnson, L.L. Johnson resignation
36 Troutman, Emanuel MacEmanuel Mac Troutman PA 1915–2004 1967–1982 — 1982–2004 Johnson, L.L. Johnson death
37 Hannum, John BerneJohn Berne Hannum PA 1915–2007 1969–1984 — 1984–2007 Nixon, Nixon death
38 Becker, Edward RoyEdward Roy Becker PA 1933–2006 1970–1982 — — Nixon, Nixon reappointment
40 Huyett III, Daniel HenryDaniel Henry Huyett III PA 1921–1998 1970–1988 — 1988–1998 Nixon, Nixon death
42 Gorbey, James HenryJames Henry Gorbey PA 1920–1977 1970–1977 — — Nixon, Nixon death
43 Broderick, Raymond J.Raymond J. Broderick PA 1914–2000 1971–1984 — 1984–2000 Nixon, Nixon death
44 Newcomer, Clarence CharlesClarence Charles Newcomer PA 1923–2005 1971–1988 — 1988–2005 Nixon, Nixon death
45 Green, Clifford ScottClifford Scott Green PA 1923–2007 1971–1988 — 1988–2007 Nixon, Nixon death
46 Bechtle, Louis CharlesLouis Charles Bechtle PA 1927–present 1972–1993 1990–1993 1993–2001 Nixon, Nixon retirement
47 Fogel, Herbert AllanHerbert Allan Fogel PA 1929–present 1973–1978 — — Nixon, Nixon resignation
48 McGlynn, Jr., Joseph LeoJoseph Leo McGlynn, Jr. PA 1925–1999 1974–1990 — 1990–1999 Nixon, Nixon death
49 Cahn, Edward NormanEdward Norman Cahn PA 1933–present 1974–1998 1993–1998 — Ford, Ford retirement
50 Pollak, Louis H.Louis H. Pollak PA 1922–2012 1978–1991 — 1991–2012 Carter, Carter death
52 Giles, James TyroneJames Tyrone Giles PA 1943–present 1979–2008 1999–2005 2008–2008 Carter, Carter retirement
54 Katz, MarvinMarvin Katz PA 1930–2010 1983–1997 — 1997–2010 Reagan, Reagan death
55 Kelly, James McGirrJames McGirr Kelly PA 1928–2005 1983–1996 — 1996–2005 Reagan, Reagan death
56 Scirica, Anthony JosephAnthony Joseph Scirica PA 1940–present 1984–1987 — — Reagan, Reagan reappointment
59 Gawthrop III, Robert S.Robert S. Gawthrop III PA 1942–1999 1987–1999 — — Reagan, Reagan death
60 Van Antwerpen, Franklin StuartFranklin Stuart Van Antwerpen PA 1941–present 1987–2004 — — Reagan, Reagan reappointment
63 Hutton, Herbert J.Herbert J. Hutton PA 1937–2007 1988–2003 — 2003–2007 Reagan, Reagan death
64 Waldman, JayJay Waldman PA 1944–2003 1988–2003 — — Reagan, Reagan death
73 Rendell, MarjorieMarjorie Rendell PA 1947–present 1994–1997 — — Clinton, Clinton reappointment
74 Kauffman, Bruce WilliamBruce William Kauffman PA 1934–present 1997–2008 — 2008–2009 Clinton, Clinton retirement
88 Golden, Thomas M.Thomas M. Golden PA 1947–2010 2006–2010 — — Bush, G.W.G.W. Bush death

Succession of seats [edit]

Seat 1
Seat established on September 24, 1789 by 1 Stat. 73 for the District of Pennsylvania
Seat reassigned to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on April 20, 1818 by 3 Stat. 462
Peters 1818–1828
Hopkinson 1828–1842
Randall 1842–1846
Kane 1846–1858
Cadwalader 1858–1879
Butler 1879–1899
McPherson 1899–1912
Thompson 1912–1931
Welsh 1932–1957
Egan 1957–1961
J. M. Davis 1964–1974
Cahn 1974–1998
Savage 2002–present
Seat 2
Seat established on April 1, 1904 by 33 Stat. 155
Holland 1904–1914
Seat abolished on April 24, 1914 (Temporary judgeship expired)
Seat 3
Seat established on February 16, 1914 by 38 Stat. 283 (temporary)
Seat became permanent upon the abolishment of Seat 2 on April 24, 1914
Dickenson 1914–1939
Bard 1939–1952
Van Dusen 1955–1967
Hannum 1969–1984
Scirica 1984–1987
Reed 1988–1999
Surrick 2000–2011
vacant 2011–present
Seat 4
Seat established on September 14, 1922 by 42 Stat. 837 (temporary)
McKeehan 1923–1925
Seat abolished on March 23, 1925 (Temporary judgeship expired)
Seat 5
Seat established on March 3, 1927 by 44 Stat. 1347
Kirkpatrick 1927–1958
Wood 1959–1971
Green 1971–1988
DuBois 1988–2002
Gardner 2002–present
Seat 6
Seat established on June 16, 1936 by 49 Stat. 1523 (temporary)
Seat made permanent on June 2, 1938 by 52 Stat. 780
Maris 1936–1938
Kalodner 1938–1946
McGranery 1946–1952
J. W. Lord, Jr. 1954–1971
Bechtle 1972–1993
Rendell 1994–1997
Seat abolished on November 20, 1997 (Temporary judgeship expired)
Seat 7
Seat established on May 24, 1940 by 54 Stat. 219 (temporary)
Seat made permanent on December 7, 1944 by 58 Stat. 796
Ganey 1940–1961
Higginbotham, Jr. 1964–1977
Pollak 1978–1991
Robreno 1992–present
Seat 8
Seat established on July 24, 1946 by 60 Stat. 654 (temporary, concurrent with Middle and Western Districts)
Seat made permanent on February 10, 1954 by 68 Stat. 8
Follmer 1946–1955
Seat statutorily assigned solely to the Middle District on June 1, 1955
Seat 9
Seat established on August 3, 1949 by 63 Stat. 493
Clary 1949–1969
Seat abolished on March 1, 1969 (Temporary judgeship expired)
Seat 10
Seat established on August 3, 1949 by 63 Stat. 493
Grim 1949–1961
Body 1962–1972
Fogel 1973–1978
Giles 1979–2008
Slomsky 2008–present
Seat 11
Seat established on February 10, 1954 by 68 Stat. 8
Kraft, Jr. 1955–1970
Newcomer 1971–1988
Hutton 1988–2003
Diamond 2004-present
Seat 12
Seat established on May 19, 1961 by 75 Stat. 80
J. S. Lord III 1961–1982
Katz 1983–1997
McLaughlin 2000–present
Seat 13
Seat established on May 19, 1961 by 75 Stat. 80
Freedman 1961–1964
Fullam 1966–1990
Yohn 1991–2003
Pratter 2004–present
Seat 14
Seat established on May 19, 1961 by 75 Stat. 80
Luongo 1961–1986
Van Antwerpen 1987–2004
Golden 2006–2010
vacant 2010–present
Seat 15
Seat established on March 18, 1966 by 80 Stat. 75 (temporary)
Seat made permanent on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Weiner 1967–1988
Buckwalter 1990–2003
Stengel 2004–present
Seat 16
Seat established on March 18, 1966 by 80 Stat. 75 (temporary)
Seat made permanent on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Masterson 1967–1973
McGlynn, Jr. 1974–1990
Bartle III 1991–2011
vacant 2011–present
Seat 17
Seat established on March 18, 1966 by 80 Stat. 75 (temporary)
Seat became permanent upon the abolishment of Seat 9 on March 1, 1969
Troutman 1967–1982
J. M. Kelly 1983–1996
Kauffman 1997–2008
Jones II 2008–present
Seat 18
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Becker 1970–1982
O'Neill, Jr. 1983–1996
Tucker 2000–present
Seat 19
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Ditter, Jr. 1970–1986
Gawthrop III 1987–1999
Schiller 2000–2012
vacant 2012–present
Seat 20
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Huyett III 1970–1988
Waldman 1988–2003
Sanchez 2004–present
Seat 21
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
VanArtsdalen 1970–1985
R. F. Kelly 1987–2001
Baylson 2002–2012
vacant 2012–present
Seat 22
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Gorbey 1970–1977
Shapiro 1978–1998
Rufe 2002–present
Seat 23
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Broderick 1971–1984
Ludwig 1985–1997
L. D. Davis 2002–present
Seat 24
Seat established on December 1, 1990 by 104 Stat. 5089
Dalzell 1991–present
Seat 25
Seat established on December 1, 1990 by 104 Stat. 5089
Padova 1992–2008
Goldberg 2008–present
Seat 26
Seat established on December 1, 1990 by 104 Stat. 5089
Joyner 1992–2013
vacant 2013–present
Seat 27
Seat established on December 1, 1990 by 104 Stat. 5089 (temporary)
Seat became permanent upon the abolishment of Seat 6 on November 20, 1997
Brody 1992–2009
vacant 2009–present

See also [edit]

Notes [edit]

  1. ^ a b c Asbury Dickens, A Synoptical Index to the Laws and Treaties of the United States of America (1852), p. 388.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. District Courts of Pennsylvania, Legislative history, Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 11, 1828, confirmed by the United States Senate on February 23, 1829, and received commission on February 23, 1829.
  4. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on January 5, 1939, confirmed by the United States Senate on March 30, 1939, and received commission on May 4, 1939.
  5. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on April 4, 1940, confirmed by the United States Senate on April 24, 1940, and received commission on April 29, 1940.
  6. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on January 5, 1950, confirmed by the United States Senate on March 8, 1950, and received commission on March 9, 1950.
  7. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on January 5, 1950, confirmed by the United States Senate on April 4, 1950, and received commission on April 7, 1950.
  8. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on January 12, 1956, confirmed by the United States Senate on March 28, 1956, and received commission on March 29, 1956.
  9. ^ a b Recess appointment; formally nominated on February 3, 1964, confirmed by the United States Senate on March 14, 1964, and received commission on March 17, 1964.

External links [edit]

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_States_District_Court_for_the_Eastern_District_of_Pennsylvania&oldid=552992365"