Senior Judge I. Leo Glasser of the Eastern District of New York, one of the oldest judges in our nation, is set to celebrate his 100th birthday before heading back to his legal duties, which include a criminal sentencing hearing on the agenda for Monday. An interesting fact is that only five other judges born in the 20th century have served past the age of 100, with two serving until they reached 104 years.
Details of the celebratory event held by the Eastern District for Judge Glasser have been recounted via Bloomberg Law. According to Larry Krantz, Glasser’s first clerk in 1982, the Judge lives and breathes the law every day, a pursuit that brings him immense pleasure. Glasser, noticed for his signature bow ties, sat beside Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor during a ceremony at the EDNY courthouse. During the ceremony, he listened to congratulatory letters from Attorney General Merrick Garland and Chief Justice John Roberts being read aloud.
Known for overseeing mob boss John Gotti’s trial, Glasser often jests about his advanced age, hinting that he avoids buying green bananas. After concluding the Gotti trial, Glasser took senior status in 1993 and continued to serve as a judge for more than two decades afterwards. When asked in 2014 why he chose to continue, Glasser stated that if senior judges decided to “go fishing”, it would put the federal judiciary in a great deal of difficulty. He further stated that senior judges provide a significant service to the judiciary, and by extension, to the country.
As we wish Judge Glasser the happiest of birthdays, you can read more about it at Above The Law.