James Waldo Ackerman
Encyclopedia
James Waldo Ackerman was a United States federal judge
in Illinois.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida
, Ackerman received a B.S.
from Marquette University
in 1947 and a J.D.
from Marquette University Law School
in 1949. He served in the United States Navy
, from 1944 to 1946 and again from 1952 to 1954. In the interim, he was in private practice of law in Sangamon County, Illinois
. He was an Assistant state's attorney, Sangamon County, Illinois from 1954 to 1956, and then a State's attorney in that county until 1960, when he returned to private practice. While in private practice, he was counsel to the municipal corporation
of Springfield, Illinois
from 1961 to 1962, assistant state treasurer for Illinois from 1963 to 1964, and a deputy state attorney general from 1968 to 1971. He was a judge on the Illinois Circuit Court from 1971 to 1976.
On June 18, 1976, President Gerald Ford
nominated Ackerman to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
vacated by Harlington Wood, Jr. Confirmed by the United States Senate
on July 2, 1976, Ackerman received his commission that day. On March 31, 1979, he was reassigned by operation of law
to the newly created United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
, formed from a re-drawing of the Illinois districts. He served as chief judge of that court from 1982 to 1984. His service terminated upon his death, November 23, 1984, in Springfield, Illinois
.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
in Illinois.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, Ackerman received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in 1947 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Marquette University Law School
Marquette University Law School
Marquette University Law School is the professional school for the study of law at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and one of only two law schools in Wisconsin. With 45 full-time professors and approximately 760 J.D. students, the law school is ranked in the top tier among American...
in 1949. He served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, from 1944 to 1946 and again from 1952 to 1954. In the interim, he was in private practice of law in Sangamon County, Illinois
Sangamon County, Illinois
Sangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
. He was an Assistant state's attorney, Sangamon County, Illinois from 1954 to 1956, and then a State's attorney in that county until 1960, when he returned to private practice. While in private practice, he was counsel to the municipal corporation
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
of Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
from 1961 to 1962, assistant state treasurer for Illinois from 1963 to 1964, and a deputy state attorney general from 1968 to 1971. He was a judge on the Illinois Circuit Court from 1971 to 1976.
On June 18, 1976, President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
nominated Ackerman to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is a Federal district court covering approximately the southern half of the state of Illinois....
vacated by Harlington Wood, Jr. 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 July 2, 1976, Ackerman received his commission that day. On March 31, 1979, he was reassigned by operation of law
Operation of law
The phrase "by operation of law" is a legal term that indicates that a right or liability has been created for a party, irrespective of the intent of that party, because it is dictated by existing legal principles. For example, if a person dies without a will, his heirs are determined by operation...
to the newly created United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois serves the residents of forty-six counties from its four courthouses...
, formed from a re-drawing of the Illinois districts. He served as chief judge of that court from 1982 to 1984. His service terminated upon his death, November 23, 1984, in Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
.