Harvey M. Johnsen

Who was Harvey M. Johnsen?

Harvey M. Johnsen was a United States federal judge.

Born in Hastings, Nebraska, Johnsen received an LL.B. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law in 1919 and an A.B. from the University of Nebraska in 1921. He was in private practice in Omaha, Nebraska from 1920 to 1931, and was a faculty member at the Creighton Law School in Omaha from 1922 to 1926. He was general counsel to the Farm Credit Administration in Omaha from 1931 to 1933, returning to private practice there from 1934 to 1938. On Nov. 28, 1938, he was appointed by Governor Robert Leroy Cochran to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Nebraska, filling the vacancy created by death of Judge L. B. Day. Johnsen's term began Jan. 3, 1939, lasting until he resigned Nov. 8, 1940.

On October 1, 1940, Johnsen Johnsen was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit created by 54 Stat. 219. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 7, 1940, and received his commission on October 14, 1940. He served as chief judge from 1959 to 1965, assuming senior status on August 1, 1965 and serving in that capacity until his death.