Gary Lancaster

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Gary Lancaster

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Prior offices
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Education

Bachelor's

Slippery Rock State College, 1971

Law

University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1974

Personal
Birthplace
Brownsville, Pa.

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Gary Lancaster was an Article III federal judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He joined the court in 1993 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. He served as chief judge from 2009 until he passed away on April 24, 2013.[1]

Education

Lancaster graduated from Slippery Rock State College with his bachelor's degree in 1971 and later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with his J.D. in 1974.[1]

Professional career

After law school, Lancaster was regional counsel for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission from 1974 to 1976 before becoming an assistant district attorney for Allegheny County from 1976 to 1978. From 1978 to 1987, Lancaster served as an attorney in private practice.[1]

Judicial nominations and appointments

Western District of Pennsylvania

Lancaster began his federal judicial career in 1987 following an appointment to an eight-year term as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Lancaster served in that role until he was elevated to the Western District of Pennsylvania in 1993.

On the recommendation of Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford, Lancaster was nominated by President Bill Clinton on October 25, 1993, to a seat vacated by Judge Timothy Lewis as Lewis was nominated to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.[1] Lancaster was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 20, 1993, and received commission on November 24, 1993.

On April 24, 2013, Judge Gary Lancaster passed away while serving on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He had served on the court for nearly 20 years and served as Chief Judge from 2009 until his passing.[2]

Noteworthy cases

G-20 Protesters given permit (2009)

See also: United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

In 2009, Judge Lancaster agreed with protesters who sued the City of Philadelphia in order to obtain permits to protest during the G-20 Summit. The group Code Pink sued the city, U.S. Secret Service and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for denying their First Amendment right to assemble. Though the government cited safely concerns, Judge Lancaster found in favor of the plaintiffs.[3]

See also

External links


Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by:
Timothy Lewis
Western District of Pennsylvnaia
1993–2013
Seat #1
Succeeded by:
Marilyn J. Horan