Introduction
- For other perons named John Gibbons see John Gibbons (disambiguation)
John Joseph Gibbons (born December 6, 1924) is a former federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and is currently a partner at the law firm of Gibbons P.C.
Early career
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Gibbons was raised in Belleville, New Jersey. He graduated from Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in 1942, the College of the Holy Cross in 1947 with a B.S. and from Harvard Law School in 1950 with an LL.B.. After graduation, Gibbons joined the firm of Crummy & Consodine. After several years with the firm, he was named a partner and the firm’s name changed to Crummy, Consodine & Gibbons. In 1967, Gibbons became President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and also a member of the Governor’s Commission on Civil Disorders.
Nomination to the bench
Gibbons was nominated to the Third Circuit bench by President Richard M. Nixon on December 5, 1969, to a seat vacated by Gerald McLaughlin. Gibbons was confirmed by the Senate on December 17, 1969, and received his commission on December 18, 1969. He served as chief judge of the Third Circuit, 1987–1990, and retired on January 15, 1990.
Post-judicial career
Gibbons returned to the firm bearing his name in 1990 (which was then renamed Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione), and founded the John J. Gibbons Fellowship in Public Interest & Constitutional Law. He also taught constitutional law at Seton Hall University School of Law until 1997.