John C. Shabaz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Honorable
John C. Shabaz
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| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin | |
| In office January 20, 2009 – August 31, 2012 |
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| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin | |
| In office 1996–2001 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Brandriff Crabb |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Brandriff Crabb |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin | |
| In office December 10, 1981 – January 20, 2009 |
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| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | James Edward Doyle |
| Succeeded by | James D. Peterson |
| Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Assembly | |
| In office January 1, 1973 – December 17, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Harold Vernon Froehlich |
| Succeeded by | Tommy Thompson |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly | |
| In office January 1, 1973 – December 17, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | John C. Schober |
| Constituency | 83rd district |
| In office January 1, 1965 – January 1, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Constituency | Waukesha 4th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 25, 1931 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Died | August 31, 2012 (aged 81) Waunakee, Wisconsin |
| Resting place | Saint Joan of Arc Cemetery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education |
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| Profession | lawyer, judge |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
John Cyrus Shabaz (June 25, 1931 – August 31, 2012) was an important American lawyer, politician, and judge. He spent 30 years as a United States district judge in Wisconsin. He was also the Chief Judge for five years. Before becoming a judge, he was a Republican politician in the Wisconsin State Assembly for 16 years. He even led his party in the Assembly.
Early Life and Education
John C. Shabaz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 25, 1931. He went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison for his college studies. Later, he earned a law degree from Marquette University Law School in 1957.
Before starting his law career, he served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. After finishing law school, he worked as a private lawyer in West Allis, Wisconsin, until 1981.
Political Career
From 1964 to 1981, John Shabaz was a Republican state representative. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 83rd Assembly District. This area included Waukesha and New Berlin.
During his time in the Assembly, he held important leadership roles. He was the Assistant Majority Leader in 1969. From 1973 to 1979, he served as the Minority Leader, which meant he was the main leader for his party in the Assembly.
Judicial Career
On November 4, 1981, President Ronald Reagan chose John Shabaz to become a judge. He was nominated for a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. The United States Senate approved his nomination on December 9, 1981. He officially became a judge on December 10, 1981.
Judge Shabaz served as the Chief Judge of the court from 1996 to 2001. He continued to serve as a judge until January 20, 2009, when he took senior status. This means he continued to work but with a reduced caseload. He served in this role until his death on August 31, 2012.
John C. Shabaz was the last judge appointed by a Republican president to the Western District of Wisconsin, as of 2020.
Sources
- John C. Shabaz at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
