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Terry J. Hatter Jr.
Terry Hatter District Judge.jpg
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California
Assumed office
April 22, 2005
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California
In office
1998–2001
Preceded by William Matthew Byrne Jr.
Succeeded by Consuelo Bland Marshall
Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California
In office
December 20, 1979 – April 22, 2005
Appointed by Jimmy Carter
Preceded by Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629
Succeeded by Philip S. Gutierrez
Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court
In office
1977–1980
Personal details
Born (1933-03-11) March 11, 1933 (age 92)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education Wesleyan University (BA)
University of Chicago (JD)

Terry Julius Hatter Jr. was born on March 11, 1933. He is a very experienced judge in the United States. He holds a special role called a senior judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. This means he still works as a judge but with a reduced workload.

Early Life and Education

Terry J. Hatter Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois. He studied at Wesleyan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. Later, he went to the University of Chicago Law School. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1960. This is a special law degree that allows someone to practice law.

Serving His Country

Before becoming a lawyer, Hatter served in the United States Air Force. He was an NCO-In-Charge from 1955 to 1956. After law school, he worked for the United States Veterans Administration. He helped veterans with their legal matters from 1960 to 1961.

A Career in Law

Terry Hatter Jr. had a varied and important career in law. He worked in different roles that helped people and the government.

Early Legal Roles

From 1961 to 1962, he worked as a private lawyer in Chicago. He also served as an assistant public defender in Cook County. A public defender helps people who cannot afford a lawyer.

Working for the Government

Hatter then became an Assistant United States Attorney. This means he was a lawyer who represented the U.S. government. He worked in Northern California from 1962 to 1966. He also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in Eastern California.

Helping Communities

He focused on helping communities through law. From 1966 to 1967, he was Chief Counsel for the San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed legal services for the Office of Economic Opportunity. This work helped people get legal help they might not otherwise afford.

Teaching and Leadership

Hatter taught law at the USC Gould School of Law from 1970 to 1974. He also taught at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles from 1973 to 1975. He held leadership roles in Los Angeles city government. He was a special assistant to the mayor for criminal justice and urban development.

Becoming a Judge

In 1977, Terry Hatter Jr. became a judge. He served on the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County. He held this position until 1980.

Federal Judicial Service

Terry Hatter Jr.'s most well-known role began in 1979. President Jimmy Carter nominated him to be a federal judge.

Appointment to the Federal Court

On September 28, 1979, President Carter chose him for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The United States Senate approved his appointment on December 19, 1979. He officially became a judge on December 20, 1979.

Chief Judge Role

From 1998 to 2001, Judge Hatter served as the Chief Judge of his court. The Chief Judge is the main leader of the court. They manage the court's operations and cases.

Senior Status

On April 22, 2005, Judge Hatter took on senior status. This allows experienced federal judges to continue working. They handle a reduced number of cases. This helps the court manage its workload.

See also

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