Juan B. Fernandez-Badillo

Who was Juan B. Fernandez-Badillo?

Juan B. Fernandez-Badillo was a United States federal judge.

Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Fernandez-Badillo received a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico in 1942 and an LL.B. from the University of Puerto Rico Law School in 1945. He entered public service in the office of the Commonwealth Attorney General of Puerto Rico, first as an assistant from 1947 to 1952, then as acting Attorney General from 1952 to 1953, then as a deputy from 1953 to 1956, and finally as the Attorney General of Puerto Rico from 1957 to 1958. He was acting Governor of Puerto Rico in 1958, and was thereafter the solicitor general of Puerto Rico from 1959 to 1967.

On September 18, 1967, Fernandez-Badillo was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico created by 80 Stat. 764, which provided that future judicial appointments to the U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico would hold office during good behavior.. Fernandez-Badillo was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 12, 1967, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on June 30, 1972 and served in that capacity until his death.