Walter Thomas McGovern

Who is Walter Thomas McGovern?

Walter Thomas McGovern is a United States federal judge.

Born in Seattle, Washington, McGovern received a B.A. from the University of Washington in 1949 and an LL.B. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1950. He was in private practice in Seattle, Washington from 1950 to 1959. He was a judge on the Municipal Court of Seattle, Washington from 1959 to 1965, on the King County Superior Court from 1965 to 1968, and on the Washington State Supreme Court from 1968 to 1971.

On March 29, 1971, McGovern was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington vacated by William J. Lindberg. McGovern was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 21, 1971, and received his commission on April 23, 1971. He served as chief judge from 1975 to 1987, assuming senior status on September 30, 1987.