Kermit Lipez
Encyclopedia
Kermit Victor Lipez is a federal judge
on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
. He is the only active judge from Maine
currently serving on that court.
, on which he served from 1985 to 1994. He was appointed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court
in 1994, where he served until his investiture as a federal judge.
President Bill Clinton
nominated Lipez to the First Circuit on October 20, 1997, to fill a seat vacated when Judge Conrad K. Cyr took senior status
. Lipez was confirmed by the Senate
on April 2, 1998, and received his commission on April 7, 1998.
from Haverford College
in 1963, and his LL.B. (law degree) from Yale Law School
in 1967. Lipez also earned an LL.M. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law
in 1990.
Honor Program, Civil Rights Division, from 1967-1968. He then served as a special assistant and legal counsel to Maine
Governor Kenneth M. Curtis
from 1968-1971, and as a legislative aide to United States Senator Edmund Muskie
from 1971-72, until entering private practice, where he stayed until joining the Maine trial court.
Federal judge
Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state / provincial / local level.-Brazil:In Brazil, federal judges of first instance are chosen exclusively by public contest...
on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Maine* District of Massachusetts...
. He is the only active judge from Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
currently serving on that court.
Judicial service
Lipez's judicial career began with his service as a Justice of the Maine Superior CourtMaine Superior Court
The Maine Superior Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in the Maine state court system.All state jury trials are held in the Superior Court. The court is located in each of Maine's 16 counties . The Court consists of 17 justices who all have statewide jurisdiction and travel to the...
, on which he served from 1985 to 1994. He was appointed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Maine Supreme Judicial Court
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in Maine's judicial system. Known as the Law Court when sitting as an appellate court, it is composed of seven justices, who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Maine Senate...
in 1994, where he served until his investiture as a federal judge.
President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
nominated Lipez to the First Circuit on October 20, 1997, to fill a seat vacated when Judge Conrad K. Cyr took senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
. Lipez was confirmed by the 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 April 2, 1998, and received his commission on April 7, 1998.
Education
Lipez received a B.A.Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Haverford College
Haverford College
Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States, a suburb of Philadelphia...
in 1963, and his LL.B. (law degree) from Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
in 1967. Lipez also earned an LL.M. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
in 1990.
Professional career
Lipez formerly served as a staff attorney in the United States Department of JusticeUnited States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
Honor Program, Civil Rights Division, from 1967-1968. He then served as a special assistant and legal counsel to Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
Governor Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth Merwin Curtis is an American lawyer and former politician. He is currently a principal in the law firm of Curtis Thaxter Stevens Broder & Micoleau Limited Liability Company, P.A....
from 1968-1971, and as a legislative aide to United States Senator Edmund Muskie
Edmund Muskie
Edmund Sixtus "Ed" Muskie was an American politician from Rumford, Maine. He served as Governor of Maine from 1955 to 1959, as a member of the United States Senate from 1959 to 1980, and as Secretary of State under Jimmy Carter from 1980 to 1981...
from 1971-72, until entering private practice, where he stayed until joining the Maine trial court.