Walter Thomas McGovern

Walter Thomas McGovern (May 24, 1922 – July 8, 2021) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Education and career

Born in Seattle, Washington in May 1922, McGovern received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1949 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Washington School of Law in 1950. He was in private practice in Seattle from 1950 to 1959. He was a judge of the Municipal Court of Seattle 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. He was initially appointed to the state supreme court by Governor Dan Evans, to a seat vacated by the retirement of Charles T. Donworth.

Federal judicial service

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 Judge William James 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.