Thurmond Clarke


Thurmond Clarke was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Education and career

Born in Santa Paula, California, Clarke received a Bachelor of Laws from the USC Gould School of Law in 1927. He was a deputy district attorney of Los Angeles County, California from 1927 to 1929, and then a deputy city attorney of the City of Los Angeles from 1929 to 1932. He was a Judge of the Los Angeles Municipal Court from 1932 to 1935, and of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County from 1935 to 1955.

Federal judicial service

Clarke was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 21, 1955, to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, to a new seat authorized by 68 Stat. 8. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 1, 1955, and received his commission on August 3, 1955. He served as Chief Judge in 1966. Clarke was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Central District of California on September 18, 1966, to a new seat authorized by 80 Stat. 75. He served as Chief Judge from 1966 to 1970. He assumed senior status on September 1, 1970. His service terminated on February 28, 1971, due to his death.