Dennis G. Jacobs
Encyclopedia
Dennis G. Jacobs is Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
. He became Chief Judge on October 1, 2006.
Born in New York City
, Judge Jacobs attended Queens College of the City University of New York
, where he obtained bachelor's and masters' degrees, and is a 1973 graduate of the New York University School of Law
. Judge Jacobs was a lecturer in the English Department of Queens College from 1967 until 1969. He was in private practice from 1973 with the New York law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
, serving as a partner there from 1980 until his judicial appointment.
In 1992, President
George H. W. Bush
nominated Jacobs to serve on the Second Circuit, succeeding Judge Wilfred Feinberg
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on September 29, 1992, and received his commission on October 2, 1992.
Judge Jacobs is a native of New York City. He is married to Judith Jacobs.
Judge Jacobs delivered a speech titled "The Secret Life Of Judges" as the 2006 John F. Sonnett Memorial Lecture at Fordham University School of Law
. On November 19, 2010, he delivered a speech titled "National Security & The Constitution" before a gathering of the Federalist Society
at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. In his November 2010 speech, Judge Jacobs criticized what he perceived to be judicial overreaching into national security matters, the organized bar's distrust of the military, and the praise lauded upon lawyers representing Guantanamo Bay detainees. Judge Jacobs stated that he would continue to decide national security cases objectively and dispassionately.
However, on September 21, 2011, the New York Times described his comments in an appellate ruling regarding the right of citizens' groups to challenge the government's wiretapping powers case as "barbed":
"The chief judge wrote that 'the only purpose of this litigation is for counsel and plaintiffs to act out their fantasy of persecution, to validate their pretensions to policy expertise, to make themselves consequential rather than marginal, and to raise funds for self-sustaining litigation.' "
Glenn Greenwald criticized Judge Jacob's dissenting opinion in the aforementioned appellate ruling as "intemperate" and "obnoxious." Yet others characterized the dissent as "sweet" "dicta."
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals...
. He became Chief Judge on October 1, 2006.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Judge Jacobs attended Queens College of the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
, where he obtained bachelor's and masters' degrees, and is a 1973 graduate of the New York University School of Law
New York University School of Law
The New York University School of Law is the law school of New York University. Established in 1835, the school offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in law, and is located in Greenwich Village, in the New York City borough of Manhattan....
. Judge Jacobs was a lecturer in the English Department of Queens College from 1967 until 1969. He was in private practice from 1973 with the New York law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a law firm headquartered in New York City which employs over 800 attorneys in ten offices worldwide. The firm is highly regarded for its litigation and corporate practices, with special attention focused on its mergers and acquisitions specialty...
, serving as a partner there from 1980 until his judicial appointment.
In 1992, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
nominated Jacobs to serve on the Second Circuit, succeeding Judge Wilfred Feinberg
Wilfred Feinberg
Wilfred Feinberg is a Senior United States Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He was Chief Judge of the Circuit from 1980 to 1988, and assumed senior status in 1991...
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on September 29, 1992, and received his commission on October 2, 1992.
Judge Jacobs is a native of New York City. He is married to Judith Jacobs.
Judge Jacobs delivered a speech titled "The Secret Life Of Judges" as the 2006 John F. Sonnett Memorial Lecture at Fordham University School of Law
Fordham University School of Law
Fordham University School of Law is a part of Fordham University in the United States. The School is located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, and is one of eight ABA-approved law schools in that city.-Overview:According to the U.S. News & World Report, 1,516 J.D. students attend...
. On November 19, 2010, he delivered a speech titled "National Security & The Constitution" before a gathering of the Federalist Society
Federalist Society
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, most frequently called simply the Federalist Society, is an organization of conservatives seeking reform of the current American legal system in accordance with a textualist and/or originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution...
at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. In his November 2010 speech, Judge Jacobs criticized what he perceived to be judicial overreaching into national security matters, the organized bar's distrust of the military, and the praise lauded upon lawyers representing Guantanamo Bay detainees. Judge Jacobs stated that he would continue to decide national security cases objectively and dispassionately.
However, on September 21, 2011, the New York Times described his comments in an appellate ruling regarding the right of citizens' groups to challenge the government's wiretapping powers case as "barbed":
"The chief judge wrote that 'the only purpose of this litigation is for counsel and plaintiffs to act out their fantasy of persecution, to validate their pretensions to policy expertise, to make themselves consequential rather than marginal, and to raise funds for self-sustaining litigation.' "
Glenn Greenwald criticized Judge Jacob's dissenting opinion in the aforementioned appellate ruling as "intemperate" and "obnoxious." Yet others characterized the dissent as "sweet" "dicta."