Harry W. Wellford
Encyclopedia
Harry Walker Wellford is a former federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
.
, Wellford earned a bachelor's degree in 1947 from Washington and Lee University
and a law degree in 1950 from Vanderbilt University Law School
.
as an ensign from 1944 until 1946, and he worked in private legal practice in Memphis from 1950 until 1970.
nominated Wellford to a newly created seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
. Wellford was confirmed by the United States Senate
on December 11, 1970.
nominated Wellford to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
to replace William Ernest Miller
, who had died on April 12, 1976. Civil rights groups objected to Wellford's nomination. And with the nomination coming so late in Ford's presidency, the United States Senate
never took a vote on Wellford's nomination before Ford left office. President Jimmy Carter
declined to renominate Wellford when he took office, appointing Gilbert S. Merritt, Jr.
instead.
nominated Wellford to a different seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
to replace Bailey Brown
, who had taken senior status
. The United States Senate
confirmed Wellford on August 20, 1982.
Wellford took senior status
on January 15, 1991.
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Kentucky* Western District of Kentucky...
.
Early life and education
Born in Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, Wellford earned a bachelor's degree in 1947 from Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
and a law degree in 1950 from Vanderbilt University Law School
Vanderbilt University Law School
Vanderbilt University Law School is a graduate school of Vanderbilt University. Established in 1874, it is one of the oldest law schools in the southern United States. Vanderbilt Law has consistently ranked among the top 20 law schools in the nation, and is currently ranked 16th in the 2012...
.
Professional career
Wellford served in the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as an ensign from 1944 until 1946, and he worked in private legal practice in Memphis from 1950 until 1970.
Federal judicial service
On November 24, 1970, President Richard NixonRichard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
nominated Wellford to a newly created seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
The United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee is the Federal district court covering the western part of the state of Tennessee. Appeals from the Western District of Tennessee are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit The United States District...
. Wellford 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 December 11, 1970.
Failed nomination to the Sixth Circuit
On August 4, 1976, President Gerald FordGerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
nominated Wellford to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Kentucky* Western District of Kentucky...
to replace William Ernest Miller
William Ernest Miller
William Ernest Miller was a United States federal judge.Born in Johnson City, Tennessee, Miller received an A.B. from the University of Tennessee in 1930 and an LL.B. from Yale Law School in 1933. He was in private practice in Johnson City, Tennessee from 1933 to 1955...
, who had died on April 12, 1976. Civil rights groups objected to Wellford's nomination. And with the nomination coming so late in Ford's presidency, 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...
never took a vote on Wellford's nomination before Ford left office. 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...
declined to renominate Wellford when he took office, appointing Gilbert S. Merritt, Jr.
Gilbert S. Merritt, Jr.
Gilbert Stroud Merritt, Jr. is an American lawyer and jurist. He currently is a senior judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.- Early life and education :...
instead.
Successful nomination to the Sixth Circuit
On July 27, 1982, President Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
nominated Wellford to a different seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Kentucky* Western District of Kentucky...
to replace Bailey Brown
Bailey Brown
Bailey Brown was a United States federal judge.Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Brown received an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1939, and an LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1942. He was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1942 to 1946...
, who had taken 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...
. 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...
confirmed Wellford on August 20, 1982.
Wellford 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...
on January 15, 1991.