Thomas I. Vanaskie

Thomas Ignatius Vanaskie (born November 11, 1953) is a former United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and former judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Thomas Vanaskie
Vanaskie in 2017
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
In office November 30, 2018 – January 2, 2019
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
In office April 26, 2010 – November 30, 2018
Appointed by	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Franklin Van Antwerpen
Succeeded by	Peter J. Phipps
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office 1999–2006
Preceded by	Sylvia Rambo
Succeeded by	Yvette Kane
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office February 10, 1994 – April 28, 2010
Appointed by	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Succeeded by	Matthew W. Brann
Personal details
Born	(1953-11-11) November 11, 1953 (age 71) Shamokin, Pennsylvania
Education	Lycoming College (BA) Pennsylvania State University (JD)

Early life and education

Vanaskie was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College in 1975 and earned a Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law in 1978. He was a law clerk for Judge William Joseph Nealon Jr. of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania from 1978 to 1980.^[1]

Career

Vanaskie worked in private legal practice in Scranton, Pennsylvania from 1980 to 1994.^[1]

District court service

On November 17, 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Vanaskie to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania that was created by 104 Stat. 5089. Vanaskie was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 10, 1994, and received his commission on February 11, 1994. Vanaskie served as chief judge from 1999 to 2006. His service terminated on April 28, 2010, after being elevated to the court of appeals.^[1]

Court of appeals service

On August 6, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Vanaskie to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit that was created when Judge Franklin Stuart Van Antwerpen assumed senior status in 2006.^[2] On November 5, 2009, Vanaskie's nomination was considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was reported to the full Senate by the committee on December 3, 2009.^[3] Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed for cloture on Vanaskie's nomination on April 15, 2010.^[4] The Senate confirmed Vanaskie on April 21, 2010, by a 77–20 vote.^[5] He received his judicial commission on April 26, 2010.^[1] Vanaskie assumed senior status on November 30, 2018.^[1] He retired from active service on January 2, 2019.^[1]