Douglas Woodruff Hillman
Encyclopedia
Douglas Woodruff Hillman (February 15, 1922 – February 1, 2007) was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
, Hillman was a Lieutenant in the United States Army
from 1942 to 1945. He received an A.B.
from the University of Michigan
in 1946, and an LL.B. from the University of Michigan Law School
in 1948. He was then in private practice in Grand Rapids until 1979.
On July 12, 1979, Hillman was nominated by President Jimmy Carter
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on September 25, 1979, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1986 to 1991, assuming senior status
on February 15, 1991. Hillman served in that capacity until his retirement from the bench on October 1, 2002.
He died in Muskegon, Michigan
.
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....
.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, Hillman was a Lieutenant in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1942 to 1945. He received an A.B.
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 the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1946, and an LL.B. from the University of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
in 1948. He was then in private practice in Grand Rapids until 1979.
On July 12, 1979, Hillman was nominated by President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan is the Federal district court with jurisdiction over of the western portion of the state of Michigan, including the entire Upper Peninsula....
created by 92 Stat. 1629. 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 25, 1979, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1986 to 1991, assuming 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...
on February 15, 1991. Hillman served in that capacity until his retirement from the bench on October 1, 2002.
He died in Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
.