William Hitz

William Hitz (April 21, 1872 – July 3, 1935), known as Billy Hitz, was an Associate Justice of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and previously was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.

Education and career

Born in Washington, D.C., Hitz received his undergraduate education from Harvard University, and received a Bachelor of Laws from Georgetown Law in 1900. He was in private practice in Washington, D.C. from 1900 to 1914 and was a special attorney at the United States Department of Justice from 1914 to 1916.

Federal judicial service

Hitz received a recess appointment from President Woodrow Wilson on November 15, 1916, to an Associate Justice seat on the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia) vacated by Associate Justice Thomas H. Anderson. He was nominated to the same position by President Wilson on December 15, 1916. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 2, 1917, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on February 13, 1931, due to his elevation to the District of Columbia Circuit.