John Louis Coffey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Louis Coffey
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| Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit | |
| In office July 2, 2004 – November 10, 2012 |
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| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit | |
| In office March 19, 1982 – July 2, 2004 |
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| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Thomas E. Fairchild |
| Succeeded by | Diane S. Sykes |
| Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court | |
| In office August 1, 1978 – March 25, 1982 |
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| Preceded by | Leo B. Hanley |
| Succeeded by | Louis J. Ceci |
| Wisconsin Circuit Judge for the 2nd Circuit, Branch 12 | |
| In office January 1, 1962 – July 31, 1978 |
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| Preceded by | Branch established |
| Succeeded by | Circuit abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Louis Coffey
April 15, 1922 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Died | November 10, 2012 (aged 90) Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Resurrection Cemetery and Mausoleum, Mequon, Wisconsin |
| Education | Marquette University (BA) Marquette University Law School (JD) |
| Profession | Lawyer, jurist |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
John Louis Coffey (born April 15, 1922 – died November 10, 2012) was an important American lawyer and judge. He was from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He spent many years serving as a judge in different courts. He was a judge on the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals from 1982 until he passed away. He took on a special role called senior status in 2004. Before that, he was a justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and a judge in Milwaukee County.
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John Coffey's Early Life and Learning
John Louis Coffey was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He went to Marquette University High School and finished in 1939. He then studied at Marquette University, earning a degree in 1943.
During World War II, John Coffey joined the United States Navy. He served his country from 1943 to 1946. After the war, he continued his education.
Becoming a Lawyer
In 1948, John Coffey earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School. This degree is called a Juris Doctor. After becoming a lawyer, he worked as an assistant city attorney for Milwaukee from 1949 to 1954.
John Coffey's Career as a Judge
John Coffey had a long and important career as a judge. He served in several different courts in Wisconsin before becoming a federal judge.
Milwaukee County Courts
He started as a judge in Milwaukee County.
- From 1954 to 1960, he was a Civil Court judge.
- From 1960 to 1962, he was a Municipal Court judge.
- From 1962 to 1978, he served as a Circuit Court judge in Milwaukee County.
During his time as a Circuit Court judge, he held important leadership roles. He was the senior judge of the Criminal Division from 1972 to 1975. In 1976, he became the chief presiding judge of the Criminal Division. Later, he moved to the civil division from 1976 to 1978.
Wisconsin Supreme Court
From 1978 to 1982, John Coffey served as a justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the state of Wisconsin.
Serving as a Federal Judge
John Coffey's career reached a new level when he became a federal judge.
Appointment to the Court of Appeals
On February 19, 1982, President Ronald Reagan chose John Coffey to be a judge. He was nominated for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. This court hears appeals from federal district courts in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. The United States Senate approved his nomination on March 18, 1982. He officially became a judge the next day.
Senior Status and Retirement
On July 2, 2004, Judge Coffey took on a role called senior status. This means a judge can reduce their workload but still hear cases. On January 1, 2012, he took inactive senior status, meaning he no longer heard cases. John Louis Coffey passed away on November 10, 2012, at the age of 90.
