Robert Patterson

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Robert Patterson
Current Court Information:
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Title:   Senior Judge
Position:   Seat #12T
Station:   New York, NY
Service:
Appointed by:   Ronald Reagan
Active:   10/06/1988 - 12/30/1998
Senior:   12/31/1998 - Current
Preceded by:   Percy Knapp
Succeeded by:   George Daniels
Personal History
Born:   1923
Home State:   New York, NY
Bachelors:   Harvard, B.A., 1947
Law School:   Columbia Law, LL.B., 1950
Military service:   U.S. Army 1942 - 1956

Contents


Robert Porter Patterson, Jr. (b. 1923) is a federal judge on senior status with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.[1] He joined the court in 1988 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan.

Early life and education

Patterson graduated from Harvard with his Bachelor's degree in 1947 and later graduated from Columbia Law with his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1950. Patterson also served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1956[1].

Professional career

Patterson was a private practice attorney in New York City from 1950 to 1952 before becoming Assistant counsel for the New York State Crime Commission from 1952 to 1953. In 1953, Patterson joined the U.S. Attorney's Office as Assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1953 to 1954. In 1954, Patterson was assistant counsel U.S. Senate Banking and Currency Committee before later that year re-joining the U.S. Attorney's office. Patterson continued in his previous role as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1954 to 1956. In 1956, Patterson resumed private practice until his nomination to the federal bench in 1988. In addition to his private practice work, Patterson worked as a special hearing officer for conscientious objectors for the United States Department of Justice from 1961 to 1968. Patterson was also minority counsel for the U.S. House Select Committee Pursuant House Resolution Number 1 in 1967[1].

Judicial career

Southern District of New York

On the recommendation of US Senator Moynihan, Patterson was nominated by by Ronald Reagan on June 14, 1988 to the seat vacated by Percy Knapp. Patterson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 5, 1988, and received commission on October 6, 1988. Judge Patterson later assumed senior status on December 31, 1998[1].

Cases

Juror threats case

Judge Patterson on July 9, 2009, Judge Patterson received a letter from an juror stating: "Although I appreciate your efforts to control the frequent insults I have endured, the threats of bodily harm brings this abuse to a whole new level," said the juror in a written letter to Judge Patterson[2]

Jurors in the fraud trial of Joseph Collins are in the sixth day of emotionally charged deliberations. The former attorney for Refco, Inc. is accused of hiding the brokerage firm's bad debts from investors[2].

The letter written by the juror to Judge Patterson stated: "Specifically, in a loud and belligerent manner (the juror) threatened to cut off my finger," the letter-writer said, adding that the female fellow juror told him: "I will have my husband take care of you." "I would not allow such threats and intimidation to alter my vote. I am concerned, however, these threats may affect other jurors," the juror also wrote[2].

Courtroom observers have found out that jury room debates have been so loud and heated that a court officer has had to tell the jurors to settle down. Judge Patterson turned down a defense motion for a mistrial and sent the jurors back to wrap up deliberations. As of July 9th, there has been no verdict reached[2].

Age discrimination

Martin Stoner launched a lawsuit in March 2011 against Young Concert Artists, a not-for-profit organization that identifies young musical talent partly through sponsoring competitions. Stoner, who was 60 in 2011, alleges that the Young Concert Artists engaged in age discrimination when it did not allow Stoner to participate in a competition because of his age.

The case was assigned to Judge Patterson. Patterson dismissed the case on October 7, citing fatal irregularities in the brief. After Patterson dismissed Stoner's lawsuit, Stoner struck back by filing a complaint with the federal courts saying that Patterson should not have been allowed to hear the age discrimination lawsuit because Patterson is too old to hear cases.

Patterson's colleagues say that it is false that Patterson is too old to hear cases. Fellow judge Loretta Preska noted that Patterson had recently stepped into a case midtrial when another judge became ill, absorbing a 2,282-page legal transcript in a single weekend.[3]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "FJC.gov" Patterson's biography at the Federal Judicial Center
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "New York Daily News" Foreman accuses fellow juror of threatening him at fraud trial, July 10, 2009
  3. ↑ New York Daily News, "Musician suing for age bias says his 88-year-old judge is too old to preside, 'unable to function'", October 24, 2011
Federal judicial offices
Preceded by:
Percy Knapp 		Southern District of New York
1988–1998 		Succeeded by:
George Daniels
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