Byron Skelton

Byron George Skelton (1905-2004) was a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Claims. He was reassigned from the Court of Claims to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals by the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1982.

Education

Skelton earned his BA from the University of Texas in 1927. He went on to receive his MA in 1928. He then earned his LLB from the University of Texas School of Law in 1931.

Professional career

Skelton worked in private practice in Temple, Texas, from 1931 to 1942. He was then a County Attorney for Bell County, Texas, from 1934 to 1938. He was also Special Assitant to the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 1942 to 1945. Skelton returned to private practice work from 1945 to 1966. He also worked as City Attorney for Temple, Texas, from 1945 to 1960.

Federal judicial service

Skelton was nominated to the Court of Claims by President Lyndon Johnson, and received his commission on November 3, 1966. He assumed senior status on May 1, 1977. He was then reassigned to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as a senior judge, on October 1, 1982. His service was terminated on February 6, 2004 due to his death.