William P. James

William P. James (January 10, 1870 – July 28, 1940) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

William P. James
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
In office March 3, 1923 – July 28, 1940
Appointed by	Warren G. Harding
Preceded by	Seat established by 42 Stat. 837
Succeeded by	James F. T. O'Connor
Personal details
Born	William P. James January 10, 1870 Buffalo, New York
Died	July 28, 1940 (aged 70) Santa Monica, California

Education and career

Born in Buffalo, New York, James began his career in private practice in Los Angeles, California. He was a Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 1905 to 1910, and of the California Court of Appeals from 1910 to 1923.[1]

Federal judicial service

On March 2, 1923, James was nominated by President Warren G. Harding to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California created by 42 Stat. 837. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 3, 1923, and received his commission the same day. James served in that capacity until his death on July 28, 1940[1] at Santa Monica Hospital from injuries he suffered in an auto accident.[2] In 1932 when Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. retired from the Supreme Court, James was on President Herbert Hoover’s list of possible replacements,[3] although the seat ultimately went to Benjamin N. Cardozo.

References

1. William P. James at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
2. "William P. James, 70, Senior Federal Judge of District, Succumbs". The Pasadena Post. July 29, 1940. p. 5. Retrieved July 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Nemacheck, Christine L.; Strategic Selection: Presidential Nomination of Supreme Court Justices from Herbert Hoover Through George W. Bush, pp. 147-148 ISBN 0813927439

Sources

• William P. James at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.