Gilberto Gierbolini-Ortiz

Who was Gilberto Gierbolini-Ortiz?

Gilberto Gierbolini-Ortiz is a former United States federal judge.

Born in Coamo, Puerto Rico, Gierbolini-Ortiz was a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II, from 1943 to 1946, and was later a Captain in the United States Army from 1951 to 1957, and served in Korea. He received a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico in 1957 and an LL.B. from the University of Puerto Rico Law School in 1961. He was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1961 to 1966, and was then a judge on the Superior Court for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1966 to 1969. He was an Assistant secretary of justice and commonwealth solicitor general of Puerto Rico from 1969 to 1972, also serving as an assistant commonwealth attorney general for antitrust 1970 to 1972. In 1972, he was Chairman of the State Elections Board for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He was in private practice in Puerto Rico from 1973 to 1980.

On November 30, 1979, Gierbolini-Ortiz was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 20, 1980, and received his commission the same day. He served as chief judge from 1991 to 1993, assuming senior status on December 27, 1993. Gierbolini-Ortiz served in that capacity until his retirement, on March 23, 2004.