James Martin Munley facts for kids

James Martin Munley was an important judge in the United States. He was a federal judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He was born on June 28, 1936, and passed away on March 22, 2020, at the age of 83.

Early Life and Education

James Martin Munley was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He went to the University of Scranton and earned a science degree in 1958.

After college, he joined the United States Army. He served from 1958 to 1960. He was a private first class in the 30th Infantry Regiment in Germany. Later, he studied law at Temple University School of Law and earned his law degree in 1963.

Career Before Becoming a Judge

After law school, James Munley worked as a law clerk. He helped Justice Michael J. Eagen of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1964.

Then, he worked as a private lawyer in Scranton from 1964 to 1977. He also helped solve disagreements as an arbitrator for different groups. For example, he worked with U.S. Steel and the Steel Workers of America. He also helped the United States Postal Service. From 1978 to 1998, he served as a judge for the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.

Becoming a Federal Judge

In 1998, President Bill Clinton chose James Munley to be a federal judge. He was nominated for a position on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The United States Senate approved his nomination on October 21, 1998. He officially became a judge on October 22, 1998.

In 2009, Judge Munley took on a new role as a Senior Judge. This means he continued to work but with a reduced caseload. He served in this role until his passing in 2020.

His Family's Public Service

James Munley came from a family that believed in public service. Both his parents, Robert W. Munley and Marion L. Munley, served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. This is where laws are made for the state of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, William J. Munley, also served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Sources

• James Martin Munley at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.