Joseph Farnan
| Joseph Farnan | |
| Current Court Information: | |
| United States District Court for the District of Delaware | |
| Title: | Former Judge |
| Position: | Seat #4 |
| Service: | |
| Appointed by: | Ronald Reagan |
| Active: | 7/16/1985 - 7/31/2010 |
| Chief: | 1996 - 2000 |
| Preceded by: | 98 Stat. 333 |
| Succeeded by: | Richard G. Andrews |
| Personal History | |
| Born: | 1945 |
| Home State: | Philadelphia, PA |
| Bachelors: | King's College, B.A., 1967 |
| Law School: | U. of Toledo Law, J.D., 1970 |
Contents |
Joseph James Farnan, Jr. was a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. He joined the court in 1985 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan. Farnan retired from the court July 31, 2010. [1][2] and is currently in private practice[3] with his sons Brian Farnan[4] and Joseph J. Farnan III[5].
Early life and education
A native of Pennsylvania, Farnan graduated from King's College with his Bachelor's Degree in 1967 and later graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law with his juris doctorate in 1970. [6]
Professional career
- Director, Criminal Justice Program, Wilmington College, New Castle, Delaware, 1970-1972
- Assistant public defender, State of Delaware, 1972-1975
- Private practice, Wilmington, Delaware, 1972-1976
- County attorney, New Castle County, Delaware, 1976-1979
- Chief deputy attorney General, State of Delaware, 1979-1981
- U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, 1981-1985 [6]
- Attorney in private practice at Farnan LLP, 2010-present
Judicial career
District of Delaware
On the recommendation of Delaware's at-large Congressman Thomas Evans, Farnan was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on June 21, 1985 to a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333 which was approved by Congress. Farnan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 16, 1985 on a Senate vote and received commission on July 18, 1985. Farnan was the chief judge of the court from 1996 to 2000. [6]
Notable cases
School prayer lawsuit
Judge Farman issued a ruling on February 22, 2010 that the Indian River School Board can begin its meetings with a prayer or moment of silence. Judge Farman dismissed the lawsuit that was filed by two Jewish families who claimed the school district violated the First Amendment on the principle of separation of Church and State. The judge issued in his opinion that the school district did not violate the First Amendment[7].
See also
External links
- Judge Farnan's Webpage at the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
- The Robing Room- Rate Judge Farnan
- Judge Farnan's Biography from the Federal Judicial Center
References
- ↑ The News Journal "Longest-serving federal judge in Del. to retire", January 27, 2010
- ↑ Delaware Online "Longtime federal judge will step down", February 1, 2010
- ↑ Farnan Law Firm Web Site "Joseph Farnan Biography"
- ↑ Farnan Law Firm Web Site "Brian Farnan Biography"
- ↑ Farnan Law Firm Web Site "JJ Farnan Biography"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Judge Farnan's Biography from the Federal Judicial Center.
- ↑ USA Today "Federal judge in Delaware throws out school prayer lawsuit", February 24, 2010
| Federal judicial offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: NA |
District of Delaware 1985–2010 Seat #4 |
Succeeded by: Richard G. Andrews |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Active judges |
Chief Judge: Greg Sleet • Sue Robinson • Leonard Stark • Richard G. Andrews | ||
| Senior judges | |||
| Magistrate judges | Mary Thynge • Christopher J. Burke • | ||
| Former Article III judges |
Joseph Farnan • Gunning Bedford • John Fisher • Willard Hall • Edward Green Bradford • Leonard Eugene Wales • Walter Stapleton • Jane Roth • Kent Jordan • Edward Green Bradford II • Hugh Martin Morris • John Percy Nields • James Latchum • Caleb Layton • Paul Leahy • Roderick McKelvie • Richard Rodney • Edwin Steel • Caleb Wright • | ||
| Former Chief judges |
Joseph Farnan • Sue Robinson • Walter Stapleton • James Latchum • Paul Leahy • Caleb Wright • Joseph Longobardi • Murray Schwartz • | ||
