James Patrick Leamy

Who was James Patrick Leamy?

James Patrick Leamy was a United States federal judge.

Born in West Rutland, Vermont, Leamy received an A.B. from College of the Holy Cross in 1912, an M.A. from Boston College in 1913, and an LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1915. He was in private practice in Rutland, Vermont from 1916 to 1940. He was a U.S. Commissioner, U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont from 1919 to 1931, and a Referee in Bankruptcy for the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont from 1931 to 1940.

Leamy was a Democrat, and served in local offices including school board member. His uncle Frank Duffy was Vermont's longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, and Leamy served as Chairman of the Vermont Democratic Party during the period of more then 100 years when Republicans won every election for statewide office in Vermont. Leamy ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Vermont and Congressman from Vermont. From 1938 to 1939 he was President of the Vermont Bar Association.

On April 12, 1940, Leamy was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Vermont vacated by Harland B. Howe.