Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Receives Prestigious Award

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published October 19, 2006 at 7:30 AM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Senior circuit judge J. Clifford Wallace is honored for his long career of public service. He talks about his judicial philosophy, why he thinks it's an effective court, and how he keeps up with his 5

Tom Fudge : Today, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy will be in town to present the most prestigious award given to a member of the federal judiciary. The Devitt Award for Judicial Service goes this year to San Diego native, Judge J. Clifford Wallace. Judge Wallace grew up in Southeast San Diego during the depression. But after graduating from San Diego State, he went to law school in Berkeley. And he rose quickly in the legal profession. In 1972, President Nixon appointed him to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco. He was the Appeals Court’s chief judge from 1991 to 1996.

Now a so-called “senior” member of the court, Judge Wallace spends much of his time traveling the world. In fact he’s being recognized for his work helping other countries to develop independent judiciaries.

Guest

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J. Clifford Wallace , senior circuit judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.