Gary L. Lancaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary L. Lancaster
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| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 2009–2013 |
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| Preceded by | Donetta Ambrose |
| Succeeded by | Sean J. McLaughlin |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office November 24, 1993 – April 24, 2013 |
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| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Timothy K. Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Marilyn Horan |
| Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1987–1993 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gary L. Lancaster
August 14, 1949 Brownsville, Pennsylvania |
| Died | April 24, 2013 (aged 63) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Education | Slippery Rock State College (B.S.) University of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D.) |
Gary L. Lancaster (born August 14, 1949 – died April 24, 2013) was an important American judge. He served on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, which is a court that handles federal cases in western Pennsylvania.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gary L. Lancaster was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He went to Slippery Rock State College, where he earned a degree in secondary education in 1971. Later, he studied law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and became a lawyer in 1974.
Beginning His Legal Career
From 1974 to 1978, Gary Lancaster worked as a lawyer for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Allegheny County. In 1978, he started his own law practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His work there mainly focused on criminal cases.
Becoming a Federal Judge
Serving as a Magistrate Judge
In 1987, Gary Lancaster was chosen to be a United States magistrate judge. This role meant he helped the main judges with various tasks in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Becoming a District Judge
President Bill Clinton nominated Gary Lancaster to be a district judge on October 25, 1993. The United States Senate approved his nomination on November 20, 1993. He officially became a judge the next day.
While serving as a judge, Lancaster helped create instructions for civil jury trials in the Third Circuit. He was also chosen by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist to join a special committee on judicial resources. He also oversaw the big project of renovating the historic federal courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh.
In 2009, Judge Lancaster made history. He became the first African-American to serve as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He took over from Judge Donetta Ambrose. As Chief Judge, he played a key role in the court's involvement in the Patent Pilot Program. This program helps federal judges become experts in cases about patents, which are legal protections for inventions.
His Passing
Judge Lancaster passed away suddenly on April 24, 2013, at his home in Pittsburgh. He was still serving as a judge at the time. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper described him as a judge who could "handle any case." After his death, Sean J. McLaughlin became the new Chief Judge.
See also
- List of African-American jurists
- List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Pennsylvania
