Elmer Gordon West
Encyclopedia
Elmer Gordon West was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Hyde Park, Massachusetts
, West received a B.S.
from Louisiana State University
in 1941 and an LL.B. from Louisiana State University Law School in 1942. He was in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II
, from 1942 to 1945. He was an attorney for the Louisiana State Department of Revenue from 1945 to 1946, and was an inheritance tax collector for the State of Louisiana from 1948 to 1952. He was in private practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
from 1946 to 1961.
On September 5, 1961, West was nominated by President John F. Kennedy
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
created by 75 Stat. 80. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on September 14, 1961, and received his commission on September 15, 1961. He served as chief judge from 1967 to 1972. West served in that capacity until April 16, 1972, when he was reassigned by operation of law
to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
. He served as chief judge of that court from 1978 to 1979, assuming senior status
on November 27, 1979. West served in that capacity until his death, in 1992.
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 Hyde Park, Massachusetts
Hyde Park, Massachusetts
Hyde Park is a dissolved municipality and currently the southernmost neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Hyde Park is home to a diverse range of people, housing types and social groups. It is an urban location with suburban characteristics...
, West 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 Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in 1941 and an LL.B. from Louisiana State University Law School in 1942. He was in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1942 to 1945. He was an attorney for the Louisiana State Department of Revenue from 1945 to 1946, and was an inheritance tax collector for the State of Louisiana from 1948 to 1952. He was in private practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
from 1946 to 1961.
On September 5, 1961, West was nominated by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana is a federal trial court based in New Orleans. Like all U.S...
created by 75 Stat. 80. 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 14, 1961, and received his commission on September 15, 1961. He served as chief judge from 1967 to 1972. West served in that capacity until April 16, 1972, when 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 United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
The United States Court for the Middle District of Louisiana comprises the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Saint Helena, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. Court is held at the United States Courthouse in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
. He served as chief judge of that court from 1978 to 1979, 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 November 27, 1979. West served in that capacity until his death, in 1992.