Frank Easterbrook

Frank Easterbrook is a prominent United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, known for his expertise in antitrust law, securities law, and intellectual property law. He has served on the Seventh Circuit since 1985, and has written numerous opinions on cases involving Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and United States Patent and Trademark Office. Easterbrook has also taught at University of Chicago Law School and has been a member of the American Law Institute and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His work has been cited by Supreme Court of the United States justices, including Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer.

● Early Life and Education

Frank Easterbrook was born on September 3, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in Williamsville, New York. He attended Swarthmore College, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1970. Easterbrook then went on to attend University of Chicago Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1973. During his time at University of Chicago Law School, he was a member of the University of Chicago Law Review and studied under prominent professors, including Richard Posner and Ronald Coase. After law school, Easterbrook clerked for Robert Bork on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

● Career

Before becoming a judge, Easterbrook worked as a law clerk for Robert Bork on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1973 to 1974. He then served as a staff member of the Council of Economic Advisers under Gerald Ford from 1974 to 1976. Easterbrook also worked as a special assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States from 1976 to 1978. In 1978, he joined the faculty of University of Chicago Law School as a professor of law, where he taught courses on antitrust law, securities law, and intellectual property law. Easterbrook has also been a visiting professor at Harvard Law School and Stanford Law School.

● Judicial Service

Easterbrook was nominated by Ronald Reagan to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on July 22, 1984, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 24, 1985. He received his commission on April 25, 1985. As a judge on the Seventh Circuit, Easterbrook has written opinions on a wide range of cases, including United States v. Carroll Towing Co., United States v. Dennis, and In re Continental Illinois Securities Litigation. He has also served on the Judicial Conference of the United States and has been a member of the Federal Judicial Center.

● Notable Cases

Some of Easterbrook's most notable cases include United States v. Carroll Towing Co., which involved a dispute over maritime law and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. He has also written opinions in cases involving Federal Trade Commission actions, such as FTC v. Staples, Inc., and Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement actions, such as SEC v. Edwards. Easterbrook has also heard cases involving intellectual property law, including patent infringement and copyright infringement claims. His opinions have been cited by other courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States in cases such as Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc. and eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C..

● Personal Life

Easterbrook is married to Tammy Dickinson, and they have two children together. He is a member of the American Law Institute and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Easterbrook has also been a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He has received numerous awards for his service, including the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award and the American Inns of Court Professionalism Award. Easterbrook has also been recognized for his teaching and scholarship, including receiving the University of Chicago Law School's Distinguished Service Award and the Harvard Law School Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Category:United States Court of Appeals judges