John David Kelly
Encyclopedia
John David Kelly was a United States federal circuit judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
.
, Kelly earned a bachelor's degree in 1956 from Saint John's University
in Collegeville, Minnesota and a law degree in 1959 from the University of Michigan Law School
.
, Kelly worked as an attorney in the Office of General Counsel at The Pentagon
from 1959 until 1962.
Kelly returned to North Dakota in 1962. From 1962 until joining the federal bench in 1998, Kelly worked in private legal practice in Fargo, North Dakota
, at the Vogel Law Firm. He served as president of the firm for his final 20 years with the firm.
nominated Kelly to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
to replace Frank J. Magill
, who had taken senior status
in April 1997. The United States Senate
confirmed Kelly in a voice vote on July 31, 1998, and began work on the appeals court on August 26, 1998.
. On October 21, 1998, Kelly died in Rochester, Minnesota
, before his investiture had taken place. He was survived by his wife, Tish, and three grown children.
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Arkansas* Western District of Arkansas...
.
Early life and education
Born in Grand Forks, North DakotaGrand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
, Kelly earned a bachelor's degree in 1956 from Saint John's University
College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
The College of Saint Benedict , for women, and Saint John's University , for men, are partnered liberal arts colleges respectively located in St. Joseph and Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Students attend classes and activities together, and have access to the resources of both campuses...
in Collegeville, Minnesota and a law degree in 1959 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...
.
Professional career
A lieutenant in the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, Kelly worked as an attorney in the Office of General Counsel at The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
from 1959 until 1962.
Kelly returned to North Dakota in 1962. From 1962 until joining the federal bench in 1998, Kelly worked in private legal practice in Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
, at the Vogel Law Firm. He served as president of the firm for his final 20 years with the firm.
Federal judicial service
On January 27, 1998, President Bill ClintonBill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
nominated Kelly to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Arkansas* Western District of Arkansas...
to replace Frank J. Magill
Frank J. Magill
Frank J. Magill is an American jurist and a senior United States federal judge.- Early life and education :Born in Verona, North Dakota, Magill served in the United States Navy Seaman from 1945 to 1947. He received a B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1951, an M.A....
, 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...
in April 1997. 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 Kelly in a voice vote on July 31, 1998, and began work on the appeals court on August 26, 1998.
Death
Shortly after being sworn in, Kelly fell ill with an infection in mid-October 1998 and was taken to the Mayo ClinicMayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
. On October 21, 1998, Kelly died in Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, before his investiture had taken place. He was survived by his wife, Tish, and three grown children.