Gerald Joseph Weber
Encyclopedia
Gerald Joseph Weber was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Erie, Pennsylvania
, Weber received an A.B.
from Harvard University
in 1936 and received his LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School
in 1939. He was an Instructor at Gannon College, Erie, Pennsylvania from 1939 to 1941. He was in private law practice in Erie, Pennsylvania
from 1940 to 1942. Beginning in 1942, he served in the United States Army
as a Captain until 1946. From 1946 to 1947 he was a Chief of Counter-Intelligence, U.S. War Department, Salzburg, Austria. After the war, he returned to private law practice in Erie, Pennsylvania from 1947 to 1964. During this period he also served as City Solicitor, Erie, Pennsylvania from 1950 to 1960.
On April 30, 1964, Weber was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
vacated by John W. McIlvaine. Weber was confirmed by the United States Senate
on September 15, 1964, and received his commission the same day. Weber served as Chief Judge for the District Court from 1976-1982. He assumed senior status
on December 31, 1988 and remained active with the court until his death on August 28, 1989 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Among his most significant rulings was a 1981 order that consolidated several suburban Pittsburgh school districts to end a racial discrimination lawsuit. A man of broad knowledge, incisive thinking, stern demeanor, and subtle wit, Weber is known to many law students in their judicial procedure course for his cleverly crafted 1971 opinion in Mayo v. Satan and His Staff
. He also was an avid fisherman of the lakes and streams of Western Pennsylvania, ( "trolling for muskies" in Lake Erie) and a voracious reader of both classics and crime novels. Every Sunday for more than 40 years he did the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen. Legendary for his colorful nature as well as his sharp legal mind, Weber is believed by some to live on in spirit in the halls of Pittsburgh's Grant Street federal court building.
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 Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
, Weber 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 Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1936 and received his LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School
University of Pennsylvania Law School
The University of Pennsylvania Law School, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the law school of the University of Pennsylvania. A member of the Ivy League, it is among the oldest and most selective law schools in the nation. It is currently ranked 7th overall by U.S. News & World Report,...
in 1939. He was an Instructor at Gannon College, Erie, Pennsylvania from 1939 to 1941. He was in private law practice in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
from 1940 to 1942. Beginning in 1942, he served 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...
as a Captain until 1946. From 1946 to 1947 he was a Chief of Counter-Intelligence, U.S. War Department, Salzburg, Austria. After the war, he returned to private law practice in Erie, Pennsylvania from 1947 to 1964. During this period he also served as City Solicitor, Erie, Pennsylvania from 1950 to 1960.
On April 30, 1964, Weber was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania sits in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It is composed of ten judges as authorized by federal law. The Honorable Judge Gary L. Lancaster is currently Chief Judge of the Western Pennsylvania District...
vacated by John W. McIlvaine. Weber 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 15, 1964, and received his commission the same day. Weber served as Chief Judge for the District Court from 1976-1982. He assumed 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 December 31, 1988 and remained active with the court until his death on August 28, 1989 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Among his most significant rulings was a 1981 order that consolidated several suburban Pittsburgh school districts to end a racial discrimination lawsuit. A man of broad knowledge, incisive thinking, stern demeanor, and subtle wit, Weber is known to many law students in their judicial procedure course for his cleverly crafted 1971 opinion in Mayo v. Satan and His Staff
United States ex rel. Gerald Mayo v. Satan and His Staff
United States ex rel. Gerald Mayo v. Satan and His Staff, 54 F.R.D. 282 , was a court case in which a man filed a lawsuit against Satan and his servants in United States District Court...
. He also was an avid fisherman of the lakes and streams of Western Pennsylvania, ( "trolling for muskies" in Lake Erie) and a voracious reader of both classics and crime novels. Every Sunday for more than 40 years he did the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen. Legendary for his colorful nature as well as his sharp legal mind, Weber is believed by some to live on in spirit in the halls of Pittsburgh's Grant Street federal court building.
Notable cases
- United States ex rel. Gerald Mayo v. Satan and His StaffUnited States ex rel. Gerald Mayo v. Satan and His StaffUnited States ex rel. Gerald Mayo v. Satan and His Staff, 54 F.R.D. 282 , was a court case in which a man filed a lawsuit against Satan and his servants in United States District Court...
- John E. Bower v. United States of America