Walter T. McGovern

Walter Thomas McGovern (May 24, 1922 – July 8, 2021) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Walter T. McGovern
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
In office September 30, 1987 – July 8, 2021
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
In office 1975–1987
Preceded by	William Nelson Goodwin
Succeeded by	Barbara Jacobs Rothstein
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
In office April 23, 1971 – September 30, 1987
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	William James Lindberg
Succeeded by	Thomas Samuel Zilly
Personal details
Born	(1922-05-24)May 24, 1922 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Died	July 8, 2021(2021-07-08) (aged 99)
Education	University of Washington (BA, LLB)

Education and career

Born in Seattle, Washington in May 1922, McGovern received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1949 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Washington School of Law in 1950. He was in private practice in Seattle from 1950 to 1959. He was a judge of the Municipal Court of Seattle from 1959 to 1965, on the King County Superior Court from 1965 to 1968, and on the Washington State Supreme Court from 1968 to 1971.^[1] He was initially appointed to the state supreme court by Governor Dan Evans, to a seat vacated by the retirement of Charles T. Donworth.^[2]

Federal judicial service

On March 29, 1971, McGovern was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington vacated by Judge William James Lindberg. McGovern was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 21, 1971, and received his commission on April 23, 1971. He served as Chief Judge from 1975 to 1987, assuming senior status on September 30, 1987.^[1] He died on July 8, 2021, at the age of 99.^[3]

See also

• List of United States federal judges by longevity of service

References

1. Walter Thomas McGovern at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
2. "McGovern Named To High Bench By Evans", The Olympian (December 5, 1967), p. 10.
3. "Walter McGovern, federal judge in Seattle for half a century, dies at 99". The Seattle Times. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.

Sources

• Walter Thomas McGovern at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Legal offices
Preceded by William James Lindberg	Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington 1971–1987	Succeeded by Thomas Samuel Zilly
Preceded by William Nelson Goodwin	Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington 1975–1987	Succeeded by Barbara Jacobs Rothstein