I. Leo Glasser
Encyclopedia
Israel Leo Glasser, also known as I. Leo Glasser or Leo Glasser, is a United States District Judge
for the Eastern District of New York
.
in 1924, Glasser graduated from the City College of New York
in 1943 and then served in the United States Army
in Europe during World War II
. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery during his service in the European theater. Upon returning from the war, Glasser obtained a law degree from Brooklyn Law School
in 1948, and then immediately began teaching at the school. He served on the faculty until 1969, when he was appointed a judge of the New York Family Court. For years, Judge Glasser lectured to thousands of law students preparing for the New York Bar Exam on virtually all subjects covered on the bar exam. He returned to Brooklyn Law School in 1977 to serve as dean, a position he held until 1981 when he was nominated for the federal bench
.
Glasser was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
on November 23, 1981, to a seat vacated by Jacob Mishler
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on December 9, 1981, and received commission on December 10, 1981. He assumed senior status
on July 1, 1993.
Glasser presided over several high-profile trials during his tenure, the most notable of which was the trial of reputed mobster John Gotti
. The prosecutor in that case, John Gleeson
, would also go on to serve on the Eastern District federal bench. Judge Glasser also presided over an early terrorism
trial involving an organization dubbed "The Ohio Five" and presided over a number of other significant organized crime trials and proceedings including the conviction of Vincent Gigante
, the head of the Genovese crime family
. He is widely regarded as one of the most respected and influential living judges in America.
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
for the Eastern District of New York
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the entirety of Long Island and Staten Island...
.
Biography
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1924, Glasser graduated from the City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1943 and then 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...
in Europe 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...
. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery during his service in the European theater. Upon returning from the war, Glasser obtained a law degree from Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School is a law school located in Brooklyn Heights, in Downtown Brooklyn, New York.-History:Founded in 1901 by William Payson Richardson and Norman P. Heffley, Brooklyn Law School was the first law school on Long Island. Using space provided by Heffley’s business school, the law...
in 1948, and then immediately began teaching at the school. He served on the faculty until 1969, when he was appointed a judge of the New York Family Court. For years, Judge Glasser lectured to thousands of law students preparing for the New York Bar Exam on virtually all subjects covered on the bar exam. He returned to Brooklyn Law School in 1977 to serve as dean, a position he held until 1981 when he was nominated for the federal bench
Bench (metonymy)
Bench can be used as a metonym for a group of people associated with sitting on particular benches. The words chair, seat and desk can be used in similar ways....
.
Glasser was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald 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....
on November 23, 1981, to a seat vacated by Jacob Mishler
Jacob Mishler
Jacob Mishler was a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Judge Mishler received a B.S. from University Heights College, New York University in 1931 and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law in 1933. He was nominated to the court by...
. 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 December 9, 1981, and received commission on December 10, 1981. 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 July 1, 1993.
Glasser presided over several high-profile trials during his tenure, the most notable of which was the trial of reputed mobster John Gotti
John Gotti
John Joseph Gotti, Jr was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. Gotti grew up in poverty. He and his brothers turned to a life of crime at an early age...
. The prosecutor in that case, John Gleeson
John Gleeson (judge)
John Gleeson is a United States federal judge.Gleeson was born in Bronx, New York. He received a B.A. from Georgetown University in 1975, and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1980. He was a law clerk for Boyce Martin on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth...
, would also go on to serve on the Eastern District federal bench. Judge Glasser also presided over an early terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
trial involving an organization dubbed "The Ohio Five" and presided over a number of other significant organized crime trials and proceedings including the conviction of Vincent Gigante
Vincent Gigante
Vincent Gigante was a short lived professional light heavyweight boxer who was known as "The Chin" Gigante. He fought 25 matches and lost four, boxing 121 rounds. On February 19, 1945, he fought Pete Petrello in Madison Square Garden and won by a knock out in the second round. During his successful...
, the head of the Genovese crime family
Genovese crime family
The Genovese crime family , is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The Genovese crime family has been nicknamed the "Ivy League" and "Rolls Royce" of organized crime...
. He is widely regarded as one of the most respected and influential living judges in America.