Paul Benson (judge)
Encyclopedia
Paul Benson was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Greenville Township, LaMoure County, North Dakota
, Benson received a B.Sc.
from the University of North Dakota
in 1942 and was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy
during World War II
, from 1942 to 1946. He received an LL.B. from George Washington University Law School in 1949., entering private practice in Cavalier, North Dakota
in 1949 and in Grand Forks, North Dakota
from 1950 to 1971. He was an assistant city attorney of Grand Forks from 1952 to 1954. He was the North Dakota Attorney General
from 1954 to 1955. He was a lecturer in the University of North Dakota School of Law from 1960 to 1965.
on July 12, 1971, Benson was nominated by President Richard Nixon
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
vacated by Ronald N. Davies. Benson was confirmed by the United States Senate
on July 29, 1971, and received his commission the same day. He served as chief judge from 1971 to 1985, assuming senior status
on December 31, 1985. Benson served in that capacity until his death, in 2004, in Verona, Wisconsin
.
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 Greenville Township, LaMoure County, North Dakota
Greenville Township, LaMoure County, North Dakota
Greenville Township is a township in LaMoure County in the U.S. state of North Dakota. Its population during the 2000 Census was 80, with an estimated population of 67 as of 2009....
, Benson received a B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
in 1942 and was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy
United 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...
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...
, from 1942 to 1946. He received an LL.B. from George Washington University Law School in 1949., entering private practice in Cavalier, North Dakota
Cavalier, North Dakota
Cavalier is a city in Pembina County, North Dakota in the United States. It is the county seat of Pembina County. The population was 1,302 at the 2010 census. Cavalier was founded in 1877 and became the county seat in 1911....
in 1949 and in Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand 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...
from 1950 to 1971. He was an assistant city attorney of Grand Forks from 1952 to 1954. He was the North Dakota Attorney General
North Dakota Attorney General
The North Dakota Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the North Dakota state government. The current Attorney General is Wayne Stenehjem...
from 1954 to 1955. He was a lecturer in the University of North Dakota School of Law from 1960 to 1965.
on July 12, 1971, Benson was nominated by President Richard Nixon
Richard 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...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
United States District Court for the District of North Dakota
The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota is the United States District Court or the Federal district court, whose jurisdiction is the state of North Dakota. The court is headquartered out of Fargo and has additional locations at Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot...
vacated by Ronald N. Davies. Benson 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 July 29, 1971, and received his commission the same day. He served as chief judge from 1971 to 1985, 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 December 31, 1985. Benson served in that capacity until his death, in 2004, in Verona, Wisconsin
Verona, Wisconsin
Verona is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, in the United States and is a suburb of Madison. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,052. With an estimated 2009 population of 11,486, Verona is among the fastest growing municipalities in the state. The city is located ten miles southwest of...
.