Walter M. Bastian

Walter Maximillian Bastian (November 16, 1891 – March 12, 1975) was a United States federal judge.

Born in Washington, D.C., Bastian received an LL.B. from Georgetown University Law School in 1913. He served as a first lieutenant in chemical warfare service during World War I. He was in private practice in Washington, D.C., from 1915 to 1950. He was a lecturer in the National University School of Law from 1918 to 1948.

On October 23, 1950, Bastian received a recess appointment from President Harry S. Truman to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, vacated by Thomas Jennings Bailey. Formally nominated on November 27, 1950, Bastian was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 14, 1950, and received his commission on December 22, 1950.

On September 20, 1954, Bastian was elevated by a recess appointment from President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated by the death of Bennett Champ Clark. Formally nominated on November 8, 1954, Basitan was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 2, 1954, and received his commission on December 3, 1954. He served as President of the Board of Directors of the National Conference on Citizenship in 1960. He assumed senior status on March 16, 1965, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1975.

Sources

• Walter Maximillian Bastian at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.