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Howard Thomas Markey

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Howard Markey
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
In office
October 1, 1982 – June 27, 1990
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byHelen W. Nies
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
In office
October 1, 1982 – April 30, 1991
Appointed byoperation of law
Preceded bySeat established by 96 Stat. 25
Succeeded byWilliam Curtis Bryson
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
In office
June 22, 1972 – October 1, 1982
Appointed byRichard Nixon
Preceded byEugene Worley
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Personal details
Born
Howard Thomas Markey

(1920-11-10)November 10, 1920
Chicago, Illinois
DiedMay 3, 2006(2006-05-03) (aged 85)
Hinsdale, Illinois
EducationLoyola University Chicago School of Law (LLB)
John Marshall Law School (LLM)

Howard Thomas Markey (November 10, 1920 – May 3, 2006) was an American jurist who served as the first Chief United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He is often credited with establishing that court's renown and competence in intellectual property law.

Markey was born in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas Joseph and Vera Marie (Dryden) Markey. He served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II as a test pilot, flying P-38s and P-59 jets in extreme cold-weather. He left the army in 1946 as a major, and became a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. Markey subsequently earned his undergraduate degree and a Bachelor of Laws in an accelerated one-year program at Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1949, and a Master of Laws in patent law in 1950 from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He returned to active military service in the Korean War, in which he served as a planner of the Korean Airlift.[1][2]

Markey returned to Chicago following the war, specializing his private legal practice in patent law and other areas of intellectual property. He remained in the Air Force Reserve, then transferred to the Air National Guard, serving as commander of the Illinois Air National Guard, then returning to the Air Force Reserve as deputy commander of the Air Force Reserve's portion of Tactical Air Command. Markey retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1976 as a major general, having received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a lecturer at Loyola University Chicago School of Law from 1971 to 1972.[1][2]

Federal judicial service

The Howard T. Markey National Courts Building was named in Markey's honor in 1997.

Markey was nominated by President Richard Nixon on May 3, 1972, to the designated Chief Judge seat on the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals vacated by Chief Judge Eugene Worley. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 21, 1972, and received his commission on June 22, 1972. He was reassigned by operation of law on October 1, 1982, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, to a new seat authorized by 96 Stat. 25. He served as the court's first Chief Judge from 1982 to 1990. His service terminated on April 30, 1991, due to his retirement.[2]

During his tenure on both courts, and while sitting by designation in the regional circuits, Markey is estimated to have participated in more than 6,400 cases, and to have written over 1,000 opinions. Following his retirement from the bench, Markey served as the dean of John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, from 1991 until 1994.[1]

In 1997, the United States Congress renamed the Federal Circuit's Washington, D.C. headquarters the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building. Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL), then-Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said that Markey's efforts had established the Federal Circuit as "the world's most respected and followed court on matters of intellectual property."[1]

Retirement and death

Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

Markey, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, died on May 3, 2006, in a nursing home in Hinsdale, Illinois where he lived his last years. Known for his sense of humor,[3] he is said to have asked the nursing home staff to call him "judge" and "general" on alternate days. Markey was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Pelletier Markey, died in 1994. They had three sons.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Sullivan, Patricia (5 May 2006). "Howard Markey; First Chief Judge of Federal Circuit Appellate Court" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  2. ^ a b c Howard Thomas Markey at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ^ "Review of Intellectual Property Law - Page not found" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)[dead link]

Sources

Legal offices
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
1972–1982
Seat abolished
Preceded by
Seat established by 96 Stat. 25
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
1982–1991
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Office established
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
1982–1990
Succeeded by