Ellsworth Van Graafeiland
Encyclopedia
The Honorable Ellsworth Alfred Van Graafeiland (May 11, 1915 – November 20, 2004) was a longtime United States federal judge
.
Born in Rochester, New York
, Judge Van Graafeiland received a A.B. from University of Rochester
in 1937 and an LL.B. from Cornell Law School
in 1940. He was a lawyer in private practice in Rochester from 1940 to 1974.
On December 11, 1974, Judge Van Graafeiland was nominated by President Gerald Ford
to Seat 1 on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
in New York City
vacated by Henry Jacob Friendly. Ford's first Court of Appeals nominee, Judge Van Graafeiland was confirmed by the United States Senate
on December 20, 1974, and received his commission on December 21, 1974.
Judge Van Graafeiland presided over several landmark cases in his thirty years on the bench. In the 1970’s, he was among the first justices on the federal bench to challenge the constitutionality of affirmative action
regulations that involved quotas. One of his judgments in 1976 reversed a court-ordered racial quota for school principals in New York City
, opining that it was "constitutionally forbidden reverse discrimination."
In a 1978 case, Judge Van Graafeiland endorsed stringent narcotics laws adopted under Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. That appeal reversed a decision by Judge Constance Baker Motley
of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
, who had previously ruled that New York State sentences of up to life in prison for the sale of small amounts of narcotics were unconstitutionally severe.
Judge Van Graafeiland held Seat 1 of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
until he assumed senior status
on May 5, 1985, when he was succeeded by Judge Frank X. Altimari
. After 1985, Judge Van Graafeiland continued hearing cases on a reduced schedule until his death in 2004, in Rochester.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, Judge Van Graafeiland received a A.B. from University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
in 1937 and an LL.B. from Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School, located in Ithaca, New York, is a graduate school of Cornell University and one of the five Ivy League law schools. The school confers three law degrees...
in 1940. He was a lawyer in private practice in Rochester from 1940 to 1974.
On December 11, 1974, Judge Van Graafeiland was nominated by President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
to Seat 1 on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
vacated by Henry Jacob Friendly. Ford's first Court of Appeals nominee, Judge Van Graafeiland was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on December 20, 1974, and received his commission on December 21, 1974.
Judge Van Graafeiland presided over several landmark cases in his thirty years on the bench. In the 1970’s, he was among the first justices on the federal bench to challenge the constitutionality of affirmative action
Affirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
regulations that involved quotas. One of his judgments in 1976 reversed a court-ordered racial quota for school principals in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, opining that it was "constitutionally forbidden reverse discrimination."
In a 1978 case, Judge Van Graafeiland endorsed stringent narcotics laws adopted under Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. That appeal reversed a decision by Judge Constance Baker Motley
Constance Baker Motley
Constance Baker Motley was an African American civil rights activist, lawyer, judge, state senator, and President of Manhattan, New York City.-Early Life and Academics:...
of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is a federal district court. Appeals from the Southern District of New York are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (in case...
, who had previously ruled that New York State sentences of up to life in prison for the sale of small amounts of narcotics were unconstitutionally severe.
Judge Van Graafeiland held Seat 1 of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals...
until he assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on May 5, 1985, when he was succeeded by Judge Frank X. Altimari
Frank X. Altimari
Frank Xavier Altimari was a judge of several state and federal courts in New York State, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit....
. After 1985, Judge Van Graafeiland continued hearing cases on a reduced schedule until his death in 2004, in Rochester.
External links
- New York Times Obituary for Hon. Ellsworth A. Van Graafeiland http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/25/obituaries/25graafeiland.html