Joel Martin Flaum

Joel Martin Flaum (born November 26, 1936) is a senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Education Born in Hudson, New York, Flaum received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College in 1958, a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law in 1963, and a Master of Laws from the same institution in 1964. He was a United States Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander, JAG Corps from 1981 to 1992. Career Flaum was in private practice in Chicago, Illinois from 1964 to 1965. He then transitioned into public service as an Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County, Illinois, from 1965 to 1969. He served as a Lecturer, Northwestern University School of Law from 1967 to 1969, and he helped found the Police Legal Advisory Program at Northwestern. Flaum was an Assistant Attorney General of Illinois from 1969 to 1970, and he became First Assistant Attorney General of Illinois from 1970 to 1972. He was First Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 1972 to 1975. Federal judicial service On November 18, 1974, at the age of 38, Flaum was nominated by President Gerald Ford to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated by Judge Philip Willis Tone. Flaum was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 1974, and received his commission on December 20, 1974. Flaum's service terminated on June 1, 1983, due to elevation to the Seventh Circuit Court.