Three Senior Federal Judges pass away in past week

May 11, 2012

This past week, the Federal Judiciary lost three former judges who had either gone on to senior status or resigned from the courts. On May 5, Judge James R. Browning passed away at the age of 93 after spending more than half of his life serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Two days later, Judge Robert Coyle passed away after serving the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. On Tuesday, May 8, the courts also lost Judge Louis Pollak after a long career on the bench for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Judge Browning

Judge James R. Browning served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for 50 years after his 1961 appointment from John F. Kennedy. At the time of his appointment, Browning served as the clerk of court for the Supreme Court of the United States. He graduated from Montana State University with his law degree in 1941 and also served as a U.S. Army Lieutenant from 1943 to 1946. He was the 1990 recipient of the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award. He assumed senior status in 2000 and served in that capacity until his death. Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski commented on Browning's death, telling the press, “While we are always saddened by the loss of a valued colleague, the passing of John Browning truly marks the end of an era for the Ninth Circuit. His name became synonymous with that of the Ninth Circuit and he is rightfully the eponym for our historic headquarters building in San Francisco.”

Judge Coyle

On May 7, 2012, Judge Robert Coyle passed away after serving on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California after serving on the court for 30 years. He joined the court in 1982 after an appointment from Ronald Reagan. He served as chief judge from 1990-1996 and assumed senior status on May 13, 1996. Born in Fresno, CA, Coyle graduated from Fresno State College with his bachelor's degree in 1953 and later graduated from the University of California-Hastings College of Law with his Juris Doctorate degree in 1956. Coyle is remembered for his crusade as chief judge to obtain two new courthouses, one in Fresno and one in Sacramento. The Fresno courthouse bears his name in honor of his efforts. Judge Lawrence O'Neill mourned his colleague, telling the press, "I never once heard Bob tell anyone that he couldn't help them when they were in trouble. He allowed everyone to leave his presence with their dignity intact. He was a perfect colleague, and I will deeply miss my close friend."

Judge Pollak

The day after Judge Coyle passed away and across the country, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania began mourning the loss of Judge Louis Pollak after nearly 34 years of service on the bench. Polak was originally appointed by Jimmy Carter in 1978. At the time of his appointment, he was a faculty member at University of Pennsylvania Law School. Born in New York City, New York, Pollak graduated with his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1943 and later from Yale Law School with his Juris Doctor degree in 1948. During his early career, Pollak worked on the desegregation case Brown v. Board of Education. Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP's Washington bureau, mourned the loss of this civil rights advocate, telling the press, "Judge Pollak influenced landmark court cases on issues from school desegregation to interracial marriage. His personal crusade against bigotry defined his career and left a lasting mark on our nation. He leaves behind a rich legacy that will inspire future generations."

See also

• United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania