Gilbert S. Merritt Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gilbert S. Merritt Jr.
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| Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit | |
| In office January 17, 2001 – January 17, 2022 |
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| Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit | |
| In office October 1, 1989 – September 30, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Albert J. Engel Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Boyce F. Martin Jr. |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit | |
| In office October 31, 1977 – January 17, 2001 |
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| Appointed by | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | William Ernest Miller |
| Succeeded by | Julia Smith Gibbons |
| United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee | |
| In office 1966–1969 |
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| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | James F. Neal |
| Succeeded by | Charles H. Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gilbert Stroud Merritt Jr.
January 17, 1936 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | January 17, 2022 (aged 86) |
| Education | Yale University (BA) Vanderbilt University (LLB) Harvard University (LLM) |
Gilbert Stroud Merritt Jr. (born January 17, 1936 – died January 17, 2022) was an American lawyer and judge. He worked as a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for many years, from 1977 to 2022.
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About Gilbert Merritt
Gilbert Merritt Jr. was a very important person in the American legal system. He spent a long time serving as a federal judge. This means he worked for the United States government, making decisions in court cases.
He was known for his long career and for being considered for a spot on the highest court in the country, the Supreme Court.
Early Life and Education
Gilbert Merritt Jr. was born on January 17, 1936, in Nashville, Tennessee. He went to public schools in Nashville. He also attended the Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee.
He studied at Yale University, earning his first degree in 1957. Later, he earned a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1960. While at Vanderbilt, he was a top student and helped edit the Vanderbilt Law Review. He continued his studies, getting another law degree from Harvard University in 1962.
His Legal Career
After finishing his education, Gilbert Merritt Jr. started his career as a lawyer. From 1962 to 1963, he worked at a law firm in Nashville. He then served the city of Nashville as an attorney from 1963 to 1966.
From 1966 to 1969, he held a big job as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. This role meant he was the chief lawyer for the federal government in that area. He also taught law at Vanderbilt University for a short time. Later, he returned to private law practice, focusing on federal court cases.
Becoming a Federal Judge
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter chose Gilbert Merritt to become a federal judge. He was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. This court hears appeals from federal courts in several states.
The United States Senate approved his nomination, and he officially became a judge on October 31, 1977. He served as the Chief Judge of this court from 1989 to 1996. This meant he was the main leader of the court during those years. On January 17, 2001, he took on a special role called "senior status". This allowed him to work fewer hours but still help with court cases.
Considered for the Supreme Court
In 1993, Gilbert Merritt was considered for a very important position: a judge on the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. When Justice Byron White retired, President Bill Clinton looked at several people, including Judge Merritt, to fill the spot.
News reports at the time said that Judge Merritt was seen as a "moderate" judge. This meant he was not too extreme in his views, which might have helped him get support from different political groups. However, some groups had concerns because he had ordered a review of how the Justice Department handled a case involving someone accused of war crimes. Ultimately, another judge, Stephen Breyer, was chosen for the Supreme Court.
Later Life and Passing
Gilbert Merritt continued to live in Nashville, Tennessee. He also taught as a professor at Vanderbilt University Law School. He passed away on January 17, 2022, which was his 86th birthday.
See also
- Bill Clinton Supreme Court candidates
- List of United States federal judges by longevity of service
