James Aloysius Coolahan

Who was James Aloysius Coolahan?

James Aloysius Coolahan was a United States federal judge.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, Coolahan received an LL.B. from Rutgers University School of Law in 1925. He was a law clerk from 1925 to 1927, and was in private practice in Jersey City, New Jersey from 1927 to 1949, including service as a first assistant corporation counsel to the City of Hoboken, New Jersey from 1932 to 1943. He was a judge on the Hudson County Court, New Jersey from 1949 to 1956, and on the Superior Court of New Jersey from 1956 to 1962.

On February 19, 1962, Coolahan was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey vacated by Mendon Morrill. Coolahan was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 2, 1962, and received his commission on April 7, 1962. He served as chief judge from 1972 to 1973, assumed senior status on June 1, 1974 and serving in that capacity until his death, in Spring Lake, New Jersey.