Leon Rene Yankwich
Encyclopedia
Leon Rene Yankwich was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Iaşi
, Romania
, Yankwich received an LL.B. from Willamette University College of Law
in 1909. He was in private practice in Modesto, California
from 1909 to 1916, and in Los Angeles, California
from 1916 to 1927, interrupted by service as a Sergeant in the United States Army
during World War I
, in 1918. He received a J.D.
from Loyola Law School
in Los Angeles in 1926. He was a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County from 1927 to 1935.
On August 21, 1935, Yankwich was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
created by 49 Stat. 508. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 23, 1935, and received his commission on August 24, 1935. He served as chief judge from 1951 to 1959, assuming senior status
on April 28, 1964. On September 18, 1966, the districts of California were reorganized, and Yankwich was reassigned by operation of law
to the United States District Court for the Central District of California
. He continued serving in senior status on that court until his death, in 1975.
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 Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Yankwich received an LL.B. from Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
in 1909. He was in private practice in Modesto, California
Modesto, California
Modesto is a city in, and is the county seat of, Stanislaus County, California. With a population of approximately 201,165 at the 2010 census, Modesto ranks as the 18th largest city in the state of California....
from 1909 to 1916, and in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
from 1916 to 1927, interrupted by service as a Sergeant 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...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, in 1918. He received a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Loyola Law School
Loyola Law School
Loyola Law School is the law school of Loyola Marymount University, a private Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions, in Los Angeles, California. Loyola was established in 1920. Like Loyola University Chicago School of Law and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law , it...
in Los Angeles in 1926. He was a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County from 1927 to 1935.
On August 21, 1935, Yankwich was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
United States District Court for the Southern District of California
The United States District Court for the Southern District of California is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the following counties in California: Imperial and San Diego. In terms of filed indictments, it is one of the busiest criminal districts in the United States...
created by 49 Stat. 508. 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 August 23, 1935, and received his commission on August 24, 1935. He served as chief judge from 1951 to 1959, 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 April 28, 1964. On September 18, 1966, the districts of California were reorganized, and Yankwich 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 Central District of California
United States District Court for the Central District of California
The United States District Court for the Central District of California serves over 18 million people in southern and central California, making it the largest federal judicial district by population...
. He continued serving in senior status on that court until his death, in 1975.