James M. Burns (judge)
| James M. Burns | |
|---|---|
 Burns circa 1972 | |
| Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon | |
|
In office June 2, 1972 – November 24, 1989 | |
| Nominated by | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Gus J. Solomon |
| Succeeded by | Robert E. Jones |
| Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon | |
|
In office 1979–1984 | |
| Preceded by | Otto R. Skopil, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Owen M. Panner |
| Judge for the Multnomah County Circuit Court | |
|
In office 1966–1972 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 24, 1924 Portland, Oregon |
| Died |
Wilsonville, Oregon December 21, 2001 (aged 77) |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Hogan |
| Alma mater |
University of Portland Loyola University Chicago School of Law |
James Milton Burns (November 24, 1924 – December 21, 2001) was an American attorney and judge in Oregon. He served as a United States federal judge, state court judge, and district attorney.
Early life
Burns was born in Portland, Oregon, on November 24, 1924,[1] and was raised by an aunt after both of his parents had died by the time he was ten years old.[2] After high school at Grant High School he earned scholarship to attend the University of Portland,[3] but left part way through to serve as infantry in the United States Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945.[1] While serving in France he suffered trenchfoot.[3] After leaving the Army he received a B.A. from the University of Portland in 1947 and then a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1950.[1] While at Loyola he met Helen Hogan in 1950, and the two were married in November 1950 and had five daughters, two of which became attorneys.[3]
Career
Burns was in private practice in Portland from 1950 to 1952, and again from 1956 to 1966, serving in the interim as a district attorney of Harney County, in Eastern Oregon.[1] He was also a Special Master for the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon from 1962 to 1965.[1] He was a judge on the Oregon Circuit Court for Multnomah County from 1966 to 1972, becoming a member of the faculty of the National Judicial College in 1971.[1]
On March 22, 1972, Burns was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Oregon vacated by Gus J. Solomon.[1] Burns was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 25, 1972, and received his commission on June 2, 1972.[1]
Notable cases he heard included where he tossed approval for the Mount Hood Freeway in 1974, a criminal case related to the 1982 escape of prisoners from Rocky Butte Jail, and the 1987 case over construction of the Elk Creek Dam in Southern Oregon.[2] He served as chief judge from 1979 to 1984 before he assumed senior status on November 24, 1989.[1]
Later life and death
At the time he took senior status he lived along the Willamette River in Wilsonville, Oregon, in the Portland metropolitan area with his wife Helen.[3] Burns died on December 21, 2001, in Wilsonville at the age of 77.[2] He was buried at Portland's Mount Calvary Cemetery.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Burns, James Milton". Biographical Directory of Federal Judges. Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Hogan, Dave (December 22, 2001). "Biography Profile Local Obituary - Judge 'James the Just' Burns dies at 77 after long illness". The Oregonian. p. E1.
- 1 2 3 4 Hill, Jim; Dave Hogan (November 20, 1989). "Senior Status Not Likely to Slow James Burns". The Oregonian. p. B4.
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Gus J. Solomon |
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon 1972–1989 |
Succeeded by Robert E. Jones |