Ralph K. Winter Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ralph K. Winter Jr.
Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review
In office November 14, 2003 – May 18, 2010
Appointed by	William Rehnquist
Preceded by	Laurence Silberman
Succeeded by	William Curtis Bryson
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
In office September 30, 2000 – December 8, 2020
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
In office July 1, 1997 – September 30, 2000
Preceded by	Jon O. Newman
Succeeded by	John M. Walker Jr.
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
In office December 10, 1981 – September 30, 2000
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Walter R. Mansfield
Succeeded by	Barrington D. Parker Jr.
Personal details
Born	Ralph Karl Winter Jr. (1935-07-30)July 30, 1935 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	December 8, 2020(2020-12-08) (aged 85) North Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Education	Yale University (BA) Yale Law School (LLB)

Ralph Karl Winter Jr. (born July 30, 1935 – died December 8, 2020) was an important judge in the United States. He served as a circuit judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This court handles appeals from lower courts in certain states.

Ralph Winter's Early Life and Education

Ralph Karl Winter Jr. was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He graduated from the Taft School in 1953.

College and Law School Years

He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from Yale University in 1957. After that, he studied law at Yale Law School, getting his law degree in 1960.

Working as a Law Clerk

After finishing law school, Winter worked as a law clerk for two different judges. From 1960 to 1961, he helped Judge Caleb Merrill Wright. Then, from 1961 to 1962, he worked for Judge Thurgood Marshall. A law clerk helps judges with their legal research and writing.

Teaching at Yale Law School

Winter then became a teacher at Yale Law School. He taught there for many years, from 1962 to 1982. He started as a research associate and lecturer, then became a professor of law.

Other Important Roles

He also worked as a consultant for a committee in the United States Senate. This committee focused on how the government's powers are divided. He was also a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. This is a group that studies public policy. He was also a Guggenheim Fellow and an adjunct scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

Winter believed that the government should not get too involved in business. He also thought that states, not the federal government, should have more control over certain matters.

Ralph Winter's Time as a Federal Judge

President Ronald Reagan chose Ralph Winter to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This happened on November 18, 1981.

Becoming a Judge

The United States Senate approved his nomination on December 9, 1981. He officially became a judge on December 10, 1981.

Serving as Chief Judge

From 1997 to 2000, Judge Winter served as the Chief Judge of the Second Circuit. This means he was the main judge leading the court.

Senior Status and Other Roles

On September 30, 2000, he took on "senior status." This means he continued to work as a judge but with a reduced workload. From 2003 to 2010, Judge Winter also served on a special court called the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review. This court reviews decisions about foreign intelligence.

Ralph Winter passed away on December 8, 2020, at the age of 85.

Judges Who Worked for Ralph Winter

Many people who later became important in law or politics worked as law clerks for Judge Winter. Here are a few of them:

• Steven G. Calabresi (1983–1984)
• Paul G. Mahoney (1984–1985)
• George T. Conway III (1987–1988)
• Robert J. Giuffra Jr. (1987–1988)
• Laura Ingraham (1991–1992)
• Emmet Flood (1992–1993)
• Florence Y. Pan (1994–1995)
• Wendy E. Stone (Long) (1996–1997)

Images for kids

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  Chief Judge Ralph K. Winter Jr.