Stewart Dalzell
Stewart Richard Dalzell | |
---|---|
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania | |
In office October 31, 2013 – December 31, 2016 | |
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania | |
In office September 16, 1991 – October 31, 2013 | |
Appointed by | George H. W. Bush |
Preceded by | Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089 |
Succeeded by | Jerry Pappert |
Personal details | |
Born |
Stewart Richard Dalzell September 18, 1943 Hackensack, New Jersey |
Education |
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D.) |
Stewart Richard Dalzell (born September 18, 1943) is a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Education and early career
Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Dalzell graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965 and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1969. Dalzell was a financial analyst for the National Broadcasting Company in New York from 1965 to 1966, and was a visiting lecturer in law at Wharton from 1969 to 1970.[1]
Legal career
From 1970 to 1991, Dalzell was a lawyer in private practice in Philadelphia at the law firm Drinker, Biddle & Reath. In 1971 he served as treasurer for the unsuccessful mayoral campaign of longtime friend W. Thatcher Longstreth, and later was involved in the controversy concerning Philadelphia's Home Rule Charter, which mayor Frank Rizzo sought (unsuccessfully) to amend to allow him to seek an additional term in office. In 1976, Dalzell served as the treasurer for the successful campaign of John Heinz for the United States Senate.[2][1]
Federal judicial service
Dalzell was nominated by President George H. W. Bush on July 24, 1991 to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to a new seat authorized by 104 Stat. 5089. He was confirmed by the Senate on September 12, 1991, and received commission on September 16, 1991. He assumed senior status on October 31, 2013. His service terminated on December 31, 2016, due to retirement.[1]
Notable cases
Dalzell's decision finding the anti-indecency provisions of the Communications Decency Act violated the First Amendment was ultimately upheld by nine justices of the United States Supreme Court (although in a majority and concurring opinion) in Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union.
In 1997, Dalzell freed Lisa Michelle Lambert citing prosecutorial misconduct during her trial for the 1991 murder of Laurie Show, but his ruling was overturned by a federal appeals panel. Lambert was recalled to prison ten months later and was found guilty of the charge again. She has remained in prison since.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 "Dalzell, Stewart R. - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
- ↑ "Biddle Law Library: Biddle Law Library: • Penn Law". www.law.upenn.edu.
- ↑ Hoffman, Jan (December 27, 1997). "Judging Juatice". New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
See also
- Stewart R. Dalzell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- https://www.law.upenn.edu/library/archives/other/oralhistory/interviews/transcripts/dalzell.php (oral history)
Legal offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089 |
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 1991–2013 |
Succeeded by Jerry Pappert |