James Patrick Leamy


James Patrick Leamy was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.

Education and career

Born in West Rutland, Vermont, Leamy received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from College of the Holy Cross in 1912, a Master of Arts degree from Boston College in 1913, and a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1915. He was in private practice in Rutland, Vermont from 1916 to 1940. He was a United States Commissioner for the United States District Court for the District of Vermont from 1919 to 1931, and a Referee in Bankruptcy for the United States District Court for the District of Vermont from 1931 to 1940.

Political career

Leamy was a Democrat, and served in local offices including school board member. His uncle Frank Duffy was Vermont's longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, and Leamy served as Chairman of the Vermont Democratic Party during the period of more than 100 years when Republicans won every election for statewide office in Vermont. Leamy ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Vermont and Congressman from Vermont. From 1938 to 1939 he was President of the Vermont Bar Association.

Federal judicial service

On April 12, 1940, Leamy was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Vermont vacated by Judge Harland Bradley Howe. Leamy was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 30, 1940, and received his commission on May 7, 1940. He served until his death from a heart attack in West Rutland on July 2, 1949. Leamy was buried at Saint Bridgets Cemetery in West Rutland.