David Sills (judge) explained

David Sills
Office1:Presiding Justice for the Fourth District, Division 3 of the California Court of Appeals
Appointer1:George Deukmejian
Term Start1:August 28, 1990
Term End1:June 1, 2011
Office2:Judge of the Orange County Superior Court
Appointer2:George Deukmejian
Term Start2:1985
Term End2:1990
Office3:Mayor of Irvine, California
Successor3:C. David Baker
Term Start3:1981
Term End3:July 9, 1985
Office4:Member of the Irvine City Council
Term Start4:1976
Term End4:1985
Birth Name:David George Sills
Birth Date:21 March 1938
Birth Place:Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:Irvine, California, U.S.
Alma Mater:Bradley University, University of Illinois
Occupation:Lawyer, judge, politician
Relatives:Ronald Reagan (ex-father-in-law)
Serviceyears:1960–1965
Rank:Captain

David George Sills (March 21, 1938 – August 23, 2011) was an American jurist. Sills served as the presiding justice for the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three.[1] He was a former mayor of Irvine, California, the largest planned city in the United States.

Background

From 1964 to 1968, Sills was married to Maureen Reagan, the daughter of U.S. President Ronald Reagan.[2] He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee of California from 1966 to 1968 and Chairman of the Republican Associates of Orange County from 1968 to 1969.[3]

Sills was appointed as a judge to California's Superior Court in 1985 by Governor George Deukmejian and served there until being promoted to be the Presiding Justice at the Court of Appeal again by Governor Deukmejian in 1990, where he served with distinction and exemplary leadership. He authored approximately 2,400 legal opinions. He received a B.S. from Bradley University in 1959 and his legal degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1961.[4] Prior to being named to the bench he served in the U.S. Marine Corps between 1960 and 1965, reaching the rank of captain. He had a private law practice in Orange County, California between 1965 and 1985 and was an elected member of the Irvine City Council between 1976 and 1985, serving as mayor for four years during that period. During his tenure he worked with the Council to responsibly manage the rapid growth Irvine was experiencing at the time.

Sills was also the Irvine Health Foundation's founding Chairman and remained for 26 years. During his service over $25 Million was granted to philanthropic organizations in Orange County to improve health issues for those in need.

Prior to developing knee problems, Sills was a marathon runner who often competed in the Boston Marathon. He enjoyed wood working and had a full range of tools and machines in his garage, fondly known as the "Sills Cabinet Shop." Sills had an extensive library at his Irvine home and studied history and politics.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mitchell . Greg . November 1998 . David Sills . 2013-12-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090619214233/https://www.law.com/regionals/ca/judges/4district/sills.htm . 19 June 2009 . dead.
  2. News: Nemy . Enid . 2001-08-09 . Maureen Reagan, 60, Activist and President's Daughter . New York Times .
  3. Web site: 2013 . David George Sills . 2013-12-08 . California Courts.
  4. Web site: David G. Sills, Presiding Justice, Fourth Appellate District . 2013-12-08 . Vote98 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100108194739/http://vote98.sos.ca.gov/Judges98/David%20Sills.html . 8 January 2010 . dead.