Quick Facts
Biography
Robert Hugh McWilliams, Jr. (April 27, 1916 – April 10, 2013) was an American United States federal judge from the Tenth circuit.
Early life
He was born in Salina, Kansas. McWilliams received an A.B. from the University of Denver in 1938 and an LL.B. from the University of Denver College of Law in 1941.
Judicial career
From 1941–1942, he was a Deputy district attorney of Denver, Colorado. In addition, McWilliams was a Special agent in the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence from 1942 to 1945.
He was in the United States Army Sergeant, Office of Strategic Services from 1945 to 1946. He was a district attorney of Denver, Colorado from 1946 to 1949. From 1949–1952, McWilliams was in private practice in Denver, Colorado. He served as a judge on the Municipal Court in Denver, Colorado from 1949–1952. From 1952–1961, he was a judge on the Second Judicial District in Denver City and Denver County. He served as a justice in the Supreme Court of Colorado from 1961 to 1970.
McWilliams was a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
McWilliams was nominated by President Richard Nixon on September 22, 1970, for the seat vacated by Jean Sala Breitenstein. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 8, 1970. He received his commission on October 14, 1970. He had senior status on August 31, 1984 until 2011. Until 2011, he continued to hear cases as a senior judge.
Death
McWilliams died on April 10, 2013 in Denver, Colorado.