Bernard J. Leddy

Bernard Joseph Leddy
"Young Democrats to Hold Convention in St. Albans". Burlington Free Press (Burlington, VT), August 23, 1940.
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont
In office 1969–1972
Preceded by	Ernest W. Gibson Jr.
Succeeded by	James Stuart Holden
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont
In office August 25, 1966 – January 9, 1972
Appointed by	Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded by	Seat established by 80 Stat. 75
Succeeded by	Albert Wheeler Coffrin
Personal details
Born	Bernard Joseph Leddy (1910-03-18)March 18, 1910 Underhill, Vermont
Died	January 9, 1972(1972-01-09) (aged 61) Burlington, Vermont
Cause of death	Heart attack
Resting place	Resurrection Park Cemetery South Burlington, Vermont
Education	Saint Michael's College (A.B.) Boston College Law School (LL.B.)

Bernard Joseph Leddy (March 18, 1910 – January 9, 1972) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.

Education and career

Born in Underhill, Vermont, Leddy received his Artium Baccalaureus degree from Saint Michael's College in 1931, and a Bachelor of Laws from Boston College Law School in 1934. He was an Alderman of the City of Burlington, Vermont from 1935 to 1940. He was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Vermont from 1940 to 1954. Leddy was a civilian aide for the United States Secretary of the Army from 1962 to 1966.

Gubernatorial campaign

Leddy was the 1958 Democratic nominee for Governor of Vermont. At a time when Vermont was overwhelmingly Republican, Leddy lost to Robert Stafford by only 719 votes (50.3% to 49.7%). Leddy's strong showing in the governor's race, coupled with the win of Democrat William H. Meyer in the election for Vermont's at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives, was an indicator that the state's Democrats were growing in strength after more than 100 years of Republican dominance in statewide elections.

Federal judicial service

Leddy was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 16, 1966, to the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, to a new seat created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 25, 1966, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1969 to 1972. His service was terminated on January 9, 1972, due to his death after suffering a heart attack at his Burlington home. He is buried at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington, Vermont.

Family

Leddy's son James P. Leddy was a member of the Vermont State Senate. His daughter Johannah Leddy Donovan has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2001. His grandson T. J. Donovan was the State's Attorney for Chittenden County, Vermont, prior to winning election as Vermont Attorney General in 2016.

Honor

A park in Burlington is named in Leddy's honor.

Sources

• Bernard Joseph Leddy at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
• Bernard J. Leddy at Find a Grave