Joseph F. Weis Jr.

Joseph F. Weis Jr. (March 12, 1923 – March 19, 2014) was a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Early life

Weis grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he still lived as of 2013, inspired by his father's legal career to journey into the field of law. He entered Duquesne University but, after two years, his plans of attending law school were put aside to enlist in the United States Army in 1943, to serve during World War II and in its aftermath. He was wounded twice during his tour in France with the Third Army's Fourth Armored Division, receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal. He retired as a captain after continuing to serve in the reserve until 1948.

After returning to Pittsburgh, Weis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duquesne in 1947, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1950. He formed the law firm of Sheriff, Lindsay, Weis, and McGinnis after being admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1950, then partnered with his father in the law firm of Weis and Weis, later being joined by his three younger brothers.

Judicial career

Weis was appointed as judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County in 1968. Two years later, on March 11, 1970, Weis was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania vacated by Joseph P. Willson. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 23, 1970, and received his commission on April 24, 1970. On February 13, 1973, Nixon nominated Weis for elevation to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to a seat vacated by Abraham Lincoln Freedman. The Senate confirmed this appointment on March 14, 1973, and Weis received his commission the following day. He assumed senior status on April 1, 1988, and continued to serve in that capacity until his death in 2014. Weis has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law since 1986.

He died at Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania on March 19, 2014, and was buried alongside his wife Margaret at Arlington National Cemetery on September 12, 2014.^[1]

Awards and achievements

Bronze Star for Valor; Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster; Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award; History Makers Award, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania; Award for Judicial Leadership and Excellence; Legion of Honour, President of the French Republic.^[2]

In 2015 the United States Courthouse on Grant Street in Judge Weis's hometown of Pittsburgh was renamed in his honor after the passage of federal legislation and the signature of President Barack Obama. The building, named the Joseph F. Weis Jr. United States Courthouse, serves the Western Pennsylvania District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

References

Sources

• Joseph F. Weis Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.