William George Juergens Explained

William George Juergens
Office:Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Term Start:March 31, 1979
Term End:December 7, 1988
Office1:Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois
Term Start1:April 26, 1972
Term End1:March 31, 1979
Office2:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois
Term Start2:1965
Term End2:1972
Predecessor2:Casper Platt
Successor2:Henry Seiler Wise
Office3:Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois
Term Start3:June 22, 1956
Term End3:April 26, 1972
Appointer3:Dwight D. Eisenhower
Predecessor3:Fred Louis Wham
Successor3:James L. Foreman
Birth Name:William George Juergens
Birth Date:7 September 1904
Birth Place:Steeleville, Illinois
Alma Mater:Carthage College (AB)
University of Michigan (JD)

William George Juergens (September 7, 1904 – December 7, 1988) was an American attorney and jurist who served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Early life and education

Born in Steeleville, Illinois, Juergens received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Carthage College in 1925 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1928.

Career

He was in private practice in Chester, Illinois from 1928 to 1938, also serving as a city attorney of Chester from 1930 to 1938. He was a county judge of Randolph County, Illinois from 1938 to 1950, and a Circuit Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit of Illinois from 1951 to 1956.

Federal judicial service

Juergens was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 7, 1956, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois vacated by Judge Fred Louis Wham. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 21, 1956, and received his commission the next day. He served as Chief Judge from 1965 to 1972. He assumed senior status on April 26, 1972. Juergens was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on March 31, 1979, under the provisions of 92 Stat. 883.

Death

Juergens died on December 7, 1988.