Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr.
2014 - Present
11
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Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In August of 2013, President Obama nominated McHugh for a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.[1] McHugh was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 26, 2014, on a vote of 59-41.[2]
Prior to joining the court, McHugh was a partner at the Philadelphia law firm of Raynes McCarty.
Early life and education
McHugh earned an A.B. graduating summa cum laude in 1976 from St. Joseph's University. He went on to earn a J.D., graduating cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1979.[3]
Professional career
- 2014-Present: Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- 2004-2014: Partner, Raynes McCarty
- 1981-2004: Shareholder, Litvin, Blumberg, Matusow, and Young
- 1979-1981: Law clerk, Judge Alfred Luongo, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- 1979: Law clerk, Judge Edmund B. Spaeth, Pennsylvania Superior Court[3]
Federal judicial nomination
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr |
| Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 237 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: August 1, 2013
|
| ABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: November 6, 2013
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: January 16, 2014
|
| Confirmed: March 26, 2014
|
| Vote: 59-41
|
On August 1, 2013, President Obama nominated Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to fill the vacancy left by Harvey Bartle.[1] Obama commented on the nomination, stating, "I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench. They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Court."[3]
McHugh was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by the American Bar Association.[4]
McHugh's nomination was returned by the Senate on January 3, 2014, and he was renominated on January 6th by President Obama.[5]
McHugh's nomination was reported to the full Senate on January 16, 2014, after a 12 - 5 vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee.[6] On March 26, 2014, McHugh was confirmed by the Senate on a vote of 59-41. The law firm he left commented on his confirmation:
| “ | We will sorely miss being able to walk down the hall and strategize with one of the best legal minds in the country. Any time you asked Jerry for help, he’d roll up his sleeves and jump in. Fortunately, we have had plenty of time to prepare for this transition and have a tremendous depth of talent here that will allow us to continue the quality of representation that Jerry provided to his clients.[7][8] | ” |
Awards and associations
Awards
|
|
Associations
- 2004-Present: Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
- 2012-Present: President Emeritus
- 2010-2012: President
- 2002-2003: Board of Governors, Philadelphia Bar Association
- 1999-2003: Philadelphia Bar Foundation
- 2002-2003: President
- 1999-2001: Officer
- 1996-2003: Chairman, Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Board
- 1992-1999: Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
- 1998-1999: President
- 1992-1998: Board of Directors
- 1991-1996: Secretary, Board of Directors, West Philadelphia Fire House Project, Inc.
- 1986-2004: President and Chairman, Board of Directors, Hospitality House of Philadelphia
- 1980-1987: Vice President, Board of Directors, Pernet Family Health Service[9]
Noteworthy cases
Judge dismisses case in former-NBA player’s death (2015)
In 1993, Eddie Mast played a pick-up game of basketball on a court belonging to Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. During the game, Mast collapsed and died, apparently from an irregular heartbeat. Mast’s widow, Diane, filed suit nearly 20 years later seeking $1.1 million in damages and lost income, claiming the college was negligent in not sending its own first responders to the court where Mast collapsed, despite the college’s office of public safety having been notified of the incident before 911 was called. Judge Gerald McHugh dismissed the case, though he provided no reasoning in any court documents. The college had argued that the statute of limitations expired on such a lawsuit and, in any event, its office of public safety had not been notified of Mast’s collapse and was, therefore, not negligent. Judge McHugh dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Mrs. Mast is unable to bring the same claims again in court.
Articles:
See also
External links
- White House, "President Obama Nominates Six to Serve on the United States District Courts," 8/1/2013
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate" 8/1/2013
- ↑ Senate.gov, "Confirmation Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr., of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge," March 26, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 White House, "President Obama Nominates Six to Serve on the United States District Courts" 8/1/2013
- ↑ American Bar Association, "RATINGS OF ARTICLE III JUDICIAL NOMINEES 113TH CONGRESS," accessed March 27, 2014
- ↑ White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate," January 7, 2014
- ↑ [http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/ntquery/D?nomis:54:./temp/ nomisQwJ9UJ:: Thomas.gov, "Presidential Nominations 113th Congress (2013 - 2014)PN1209-113," accessed March 27, 2014]
- ↑ Philadelphia Business Journal, "Senate confirms Philadelphia lawyer for federal judge role," March 26, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Questions for Judicial Nominees," accessed November 20, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 2014-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Nominated | |||
Federal courts:
Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania
State courts:
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Superior Court • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas • Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts
State resources:
Courts in Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania judicial elections • Judicial selection in Pennsylvania
