Fernando J. Gaitan Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fernando Joe Gaitan Jr.
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| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2014 |
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| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri | |
| In office 2007–2014 |
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| Preceded by | Dean Whipple |
| Succeeded by | David Gregory Kays |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri | |
| In office August 2, 1991 – January 3, 2014 |
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| Appointed by | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Russell Gentry Clark |
| Succeeded by | Stephen R. Bough |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Fernando Joe Gaitan Jr.
August 22, 1948 Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Education | Pittsburg State University (BS) University of Missouri-Kansas City (JD) |
Fernando Joe Gaitan Jr. (born August 22, 1948) is a very important judge in the United States. He has served for many years in the federal court system. He is currently a senior judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Contents
About Judge Gaitan
Fernando Joe Gaitan Jr. was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on August 22, 1948. He grew up and went to school there before starting his long career in law and justice.
Early Life and Education
Judge Gaitan went to Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated in 1966. After high school, he attended Donnelly College for a short time. He then went to Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. To become a lawyer, he studied at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, getting his law degree (called a Juris Doctor) in 1974.
His Career Before Becoming a Federal Judge
After finishing law school, Gaitan started his career as a lawyer. From 1974 to 1980, he worked as an attorney for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
He then became a judge in Missouri's state court system. He served as a judge on the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri from 1980 to 1986. After that, he became a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, where he served until 1991.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On May 16, 1991, President George H. W. Bush chose Fernando Gaitan to become a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. This is a federal court, which means it handles cases related to U.S. laws.
For him to become a judge, the United States Senate had to approve him. They confirmed his appointment on July 18, 1991. He officially started his job as a federal judge on August 2, 1991.
Judge Gaitan took on an even bigger role in 2007 when he became the Chief Judge of the court. He served as Chief Judge until 2014. On January 3, 2014, he took on a new role called "senior status." This means he can still hear cases but with a reduced workload, allowing new judges to be appointed.
See also
Sources
- Fernando J. Gaitan Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
