James Zagel | |
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Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois | |
In office October 21, 2016 – July 15, 2023 | |
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois | |
In office April 22, 1987 – October 21, 2016 | |
Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | Frank James McGarr |
Succeeded by | Steven C. Seeger |
Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court | |
In office May 18, 2008 – May 18, 2015 | |
Appointed by | John Roberts |
Preceded by | James Robertson |
Succeeded by | Thomas B. Russell |
Personal details | |
Born | James Block Zagel March 4, 1941 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | July 15, 2023 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | (aged 82)
Spouses |
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Education | |
James Block Zagel (March 4, 1941 – July 15, 2023) was an American judge and attorney. After a stint as a prosecutor, he became a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 1987, assuming senior status in 2016.[1] He presided over numerous high-profile trials, including those of several members of the Chicago Outfit and the corruption trial of former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich. Zagel also sat on the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 2008 to 2015.
Twelve of the 14 judges who have served this year on the most secret court in America are Republicans and half are former prosecutors.