Thomas Ignatius Vanaskie (born November 11, 1953) is a former United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and former judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Thomas Vanaskie
Vanaskie in 2017
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
In office
November 30, 2018 – January 2, 2019
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
In office
April 26, 2010 – November 30, 2018
Appointed byBarack Obama
Preceded byFranklin Van Antwerpen
Succeeded byPeter J. Phipps
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office
1999–2006
Preceded bySylvia H. Rambo
Succeeded byYvette Kane
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office
February 10, 1994 – April 28, 2010
Appointed byBill Clinton
Preceded bySeat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Succeeded byMatthew W. Brann
Personal details
Born (1953-11-11) November 11, 1953 (age 71)
Shamokin, Pennsylvania
EducationLycoming College (BA)
Pennsylvania State University (JD)

Early life and education

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Vanaskie was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College in 1975 and earned a Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law in 1978. He was a law clerk for Judge William Joseph Nealon Jr. of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania from 1978 to 1980.[1]

Career

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Vanaskie worked in private legal practice in Scranton, Pennsylvania from 1980 to 1994.[1]

District court service

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On November 17, 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Vanaskie to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania that was created by 104 Stat. 5089. Vanaskie was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 10, 1994, and received his commission on February 11, 1994. Vanaskie served as chief judge from 1999 to 2006. His service terminated on April 28, 2010, after being elevated to the court of appeals.[1]

Court of appeals service

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On August 6, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Vanaskie to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit that was created when Judge Franklin Stuart Van Antwerpen assumed senior status in 2006.[2] On November 5, 2009, Vanaskie's nomination was considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was reported to the full Senate by the committee on December 3, 2009.[3] Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed for cloture on Vanaskie's nomination on April 15, 2010.[4] The Senate confirmed Vanaskie on April 21, 2010, by a 77–20 vote.[5] He received his judicial commission on April 26, 2010.[1] Vanaskie assumed senior status on November 30, 2018.[1] He retired from active service on January 2, 2019.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Thomas I. Vanaskie at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  2. ^ President Obama Nominates Jane Stranch for United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Judge Thomas Vanaskie for United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Archived August 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, whitehouse.gov (August 7, 2009).
  3. ^ "Judicial Nomination Materials: 111th Congress". Archived from the original on November 4, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  4. ^ "Reid Files Cloture on Five Nominees". April 15, 2010.
  5. ^ "On the Nomination (Confirmation Thomas I. Vanaskie, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit)". Retrieved November 2, 2022.
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Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
1994–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
1999–2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
2010–2018
Succeeded by