Harold Louderback

Harold Louderback (January 30, 1881 – December 11, 1941) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. He was the eleventh federal official to be served with articles of Impeachment. Ultimately, Louderback was acquitted of these charges.

Biography

Louderback was born in San Francisco, California and studied law at University of Nevada, Reno, graduating in 1905 with an Artium Baccalaureus degree and then attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1908 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. Louderback then went into private practice from 1908 until 1917. In 1917, Louderback joined the United States Army and held the rank of Captain. In 1919, he left military service and returned to private practice until 1921 when he was appointed as a Superior Court Judge for the City and County of San Francisco, serving in this position until his appointment to the Federal judiciary.

District Court service

Louderback was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. He was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on March 21, 1928, to a seat vacated by Judge John Slater Partridge. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 17, 1928, and received commission the same day. His service was terminated on December 11, 1941, due to death. He was succeeded by Judge Louis Earl Goodman.

Impeachment and acquittal

On February 24, 1933 Louderback was served with five Articles of Impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives, including 4 articles alleging corruption in bankruptcy cases (appointing incompetent receivers and allowing them excessive fees) and a general charge of bringing his Court into disrepute. The U.S. Senate tried the Impeachment and on May 24 acquitted him of all the charges by the following margins:

Even though the fifth article gained a majority in the Senate, it was not sufficient to meet the Constitutionally required majority of two-thirds. Louderback remained on the bench until his death in 1941.

External links

• 1933, Jan 5, In San Francisco federal judge Harold Lauderback orders auction of 2,245 gallons of moonshine seized in raids. (SFC, 1/4/09, DB p.50)
• Impeachment of Judge Harold Louderback, April 17, 1933 | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

• Harold Louderback at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.