Ellsworth Van Graafeiland
Ellsworth Van Graafeiland | |
---|---|
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit | |
In office May 11, 1985 – November 20, 2004 | |
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit | |
In office December 21, 1974 – May 11, 1985 | |
Appointed by | Gerald Ford |
Preceded by | Henry Friendly |
Succeeded by | Frank Altimari |
Personal details | |
Born | Ellsworth Alfred Van Graafeiland May 11, 1915 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
Died | November 20, 2004 Rochester, New York, U.S. | (aged 89)
Education | University of Rochester (BA) Cornell University (LLB) |
Ellsworth Alfred Van Graafeiland (May 11, 1915 – November 20, 2004) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Education and career
Van Graafeiland was born on May 11, 1915, in Rochester, New York. His father was a clothing cutter.[1] He first enrolled at the Cornell School of Agriculture with just $15 in his pockets, but transferred to the University of Rochester after receiving a job as a cashier at Walgreens, at a time when jobs were scarce.[1] He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from University of Rochester in 1937 and a Bachelor of Laws from Cornell Law School in 1940.[2] Van Graafeiland was an attorney in private practice in Rochester from 1940 to 1974, starting at the firm that became Wiser, Shaw, Freeman, Van Graafeiland, Harter and Secrest.[1]
Federal judicial service
At the recommendation of
Notable clerk
In 1979, Jerome Powell clerked for Van Graafeiland.[3]
Opinions
Van Graafeiland was among the first federal judges to challenge the constitutionality of affirmative action regulations that involved quotas.[4]
In 1975, he wrote the opinion in a decision that rejected a racial quota that a lower court had imposed on promotions in the Correctional Services Department of New York State, opining that racial quotas were "reverse discrimination" and "repugnant to the basic concepts of a democratic society".[5]
One of his judgments in 1976 reversed a court-ordered racial quota for school principals in New York City, opining that it was "constitutionally forbidden reverse discrimination."[4]
In a 1978 case, Van Graafeiland endorsed stringent narcotics laws adopted under Governor
In other opinions, Van Graafeiland criticized
Personal life
Van Graafeiland was limited in his mobility due to a cast that he wore for scoliosis.[1] He was known by friends as "Van".[1] He was a piano player and composed the alma mater song in high school.[1] He was married to Rosemary Vaeth Van Graafeiland and had five children.[4]
References
- ^ New York Sun. November 24, 2004.
- ^ a b "Van Graafeiland, Ellsworth Alfred - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
- ^ "Banker Joins Dillon, Read". The New York Times. February 17, 1995.
- ^ a b c d SAXON, WOLFGANG (November 25, 2004). "Ellsworth Van Graafeiland, 89, Appellate Judge, Dies". The New York Times.
- ^ LUBASCH, ARNOLD H. (August 10, 1975). "COURT RULES OUT RACIAL JOB QUOTA". The New York Times.
External links
- Ellsworth Van Graafeiland at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.