Louis Bechtle Explained

Louis Bechtle
Office:Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Term Start:April 30, 1993
Term End:June 30, 2001
Office1:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Term Start1:1990
Term End1:1993
Predecessor1:John P. Fullam
Successor1:Edward N. Cahn
Office2:Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Term Start2:March 7, 1972
Term End2:April 30, 1993
Appointer2:Richard Nixon
Predecessor2:John W. Lord Jr.
Successor2:Marjorie Rendell
Birth Name:Louis Charles Bechtle
Birth Date:14 December 1927
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education:Temple University (B.S.)
Temple University Beasley School of Law (LL.B.)

Louis Charles Bechtle (born December 14, 1927) is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Education and career

Born on December 14, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[1] Bechtle was in the United States Army from 1946 to 1947, then received a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in 1951 and a Bachelor of Laws from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1954. He was an Assistant United States Attorney in Philadelphia from 1956 to 1959. He was in private practice in Philadelphia from 1959 to 1962, and in Norristown, Pennsylvania from 1962 to 1969. He was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1969 to 1972.

Federal judicial service

On February 14, 1972, Bechtle was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge John W. Lord Jr. Bechtle was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 2, 1972, and received his commission on March 7, 1972. He served as Chief Judge from 1990 to 1993, assuming senior status on April 30, 1993, and retiring from the bench entirely on June 30, 2001.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Biographical Directory of the Federal Judiciary. Bernan Press. 2001. Lanham, Maryland. 370. 0890592586.