U.S. Judge James Churchill of Detroit; 2018 District Court Geezer Runner-up Award Winner

The state of Michigan presented James Paul Churchill with a law license in 1948 after he graduated from the University of Michigan School of Law.

This annual award is presented to the Michigan District Court judge and/or judges who have distinguished themselves by refusing to retire from the bench even though in most instances they are holder than dirt.

The 2018 Geezer award winner’s attributes are as follows.

• 95-years-old – DOB 1924
• Appointed by Pres. Ford to District Court in 1974
• Assumed senior status on December 31, 1989

It should be noted that Jimmy’s choice to take on senior status meant that he was only required to work 10 hours a week while continuing to collect 100% of a full-time judge’s annual salary, which as of 2019 would be $208,000. Put simply, Jimmy has been required to work a mere 10 hours a week for the past twenty-nine (29) years.

Had he retired in 1990 when he was eligible, he would have received a lifetime annual pension of $96,600,00. However, by refusing to retire, Jimmy was entitled to all future pay increases, which subsequently added $111,400.00 to his annual wage and subsequent retirement.

I don’t know about you, but I would not be inclined to allow my legal matter to be decided by someone that is that is a part timer and 97-years-old. And that’s not to mean that I have anything against senior citizens. However, for Congress to allow this to happen is farcical at best.

And lastly, maybe this explains why they keep defibrillators, battery jumpers and oxygen tanks near Jimmy’s courtroom.

As we speak (ca. May 2019), Jimmy continues to be employed as a part-time senior status judge for the District Court in Detroit, Michigan.