Daniel L. Herrmann

Daniel Lionel Herrmann (June 10, 1913 – June 2, 1991) was an American lawyer, professor and community leader who served as a justice of the Delaware Supreme Court from 1964 to 1973 and chief justice from 1973 to 1985. Herrmann was known for his contributions to judicial reform and was the first Jewish judge in Delaware. Early life and career Herrmann was born on June 10, 1913, in New York City. When he was two, he and his family moved to Wilmington, Delaware. Herrmann graduated from Wilmington High School in 1931, the University of Delaware in 1935 and the Georgetown University Law Center in 1939. Herrmann's first legal job after passing the bar was for Wilmington attorney Steward Lynch, for whom he worked until enlisting in the United States Army in 1942. In 1946, he was discharged as a major and served as an Assistant United States Attorney for three years until he was appointed to the Delaware Superior Court by Governor Elbert N. Carvel, taking office on January 12, 1951. Because the compensation was too low to pay for his sons' education, Herrmann resigned from that seat on April 15, 1958, to return to private practice with colleague William Duffy. In 1961, he made partner at Herrmann, Bayard, Brill & Russell and represented the State of Delaware in its acquisition of property for Interstate 95. Delaware Supreme Court On December 13, 1964, Carvel nominated Herrmann to succeed Chief Justice Charles L. Terry, Jr., but this move was strongly opposed by supporters of Daniel F. Wolcott, who instead received the appointment, with Herrmann becoming a justice. However, there was no opposition when Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt nominated Herrmann to succeed Wolcott, on August 9, 1973. Herrmann served in that capacity until his retirement, on July 31, 1985.