William Joseph Bauer
Encyclopedia
William J. Bauer is a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
in Chicago.
Judge Bauer was born in Chicago, Illinois before moving with his family to Elmhurst
. After serving in the U.S. Army (1945 - 1947), he received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Elmhurst College
(1949), and a J.D.
degree from DePaul University College of Law
(1952).
Early in his career, he served as an Assistant State's Attorney
in DuPage County, Illinois
, eventually becoming First Assistant State's Attorney, and then State's Attorney in 1959. He began his judicial career in 1964, on the Circuit Court for the 18th Judicial Circuit in DuPage County, from 1964 to 1970.
After serving for a year as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, he was nominated by President Richard Nixon
on 14 September 1971 to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
which was being vacated by Joseph Samuel Perry. Bauer was confirmed by the United States Senate
on 8 November 1971, and received his commission two days later.
On 11 December 1974, Gerald Ford
nominated Bauer to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
vacated by Otto Kerner
. Bauer was confirmed by the Senate on 19 December 1974, receiving his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1986 to 1993, and assumed senior status
on 31 October 1994.
Bauer married Mary Nicol (Mike to all who knew her) in 1950, and they had two daughters, Pat and Linda.
Bauer is noted for his colorful language when writing court opinions. In Sea-Land Services, Inc. v Pepper Source for example, Judge Bauer starts the opinion with: "This spicy case finds its origin in several shipments of Jamaican sweet peppers." 941 F.2d 519 (7th Cir. 1991).
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the courts in the following districts:* Central District of Illinois* Northern District of Illinois...
in Chicago.
Judge Bauer was born in Chicago, Illinois before moving with his family to Elmhurst
Elmhurst
-United States:*Elmhurst, Sacramento, California*Elmhurst, Oakland, California*Elmhurst, Delaware*Elmhurst, Illinois*Elmhurst, Indiana*Elmhurst , listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Fayette County, Indiana...
. After serving in the U.S. Army (1945 - 1947), he received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Elmhurst College
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst College is a comprehensive private liberal arts college in Elmhurst, Illinois with a tradition of service-oriented learning. It has a rich affiliation with the United Church of Christ.- History :...
(1949), and 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...
degree from DePaul University College of Law
DePaul University College of Law
DePaul University College of Law is a law school located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Founded in 1897 as the Illinois College of Law, the school became part of DePaul University in 1912 and is one of the academic colleges of DePaul, a Big East Conference university. The College is known for its...
(1952).
Early in his career, he served as an Assistant State's Attorney
State's Attorney
In the United States, the State's Attorney is, most commonly, an elected official who represents the State in criminal prosecutions and is often the chief law enforcement officer of their respective county, circuit...
in DuPage County, Illinois
DuPage County, Illinois
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 916,924, White Americans made up 77.9% of Dupage County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 70.5% of the population. Black Americans made up 4.6% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.3% of Dupage County's population...
, eventually becoming First Assistant State's Attorney, and then State's Attorney in 1959. He began his judicial career in 1964, on the Circuit Court for the 18th Judicial Circuit in DuPage County, from 1964 to 1970.
After serving for a year as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, he 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...
on 14 September 1971 to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is the trial-level court with jurisdiction over the northern counties of Illinois....
which was being vacated by Joseph Samuel Perry. Bauer 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 8 November 1971, and received his commission two days later.
On 11 December 1974, Gerald Ford
Gerald 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 Bauer to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the courts in the following districts:* Central District of Illinois* Northern District of Illinois...
vacated by Otto Kerner
Otto Kerner
Otto Kerner is the name of two political figures from Illinois:*Otto Kerner, Sr. , Attorney General of Illinois & judge on U.S. Court of Appeals for Seventh Circuit...
. Bauer was confirmed by the Senate on 19 December 1974, receiving his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1986 to 1993, and 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 31 October 1994.
Bauer married Mary Nicol (Mike to all who knew her) in 1950, and they had two daughters, Pat and Linda.
Bauer is noted for his colorful language when writing court opinions. In Sea-Land Services, Inc. v Pepper Source for example, Judge Bauer starts the opinion with: "This spicy case finds its origin in several shipments of Jamaican sweet peppers." 941 F.2d 519 (7th Cir. 1991).