Harold Baker (judge)

This article is about the U.S. judge. For the missionary, see H.A. Baker. For other people named Harold Baker, see Harold Baker.

Harold Albert Baker (October 4, 1929 – September 18, 2023) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. He was originally appointed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois in 1978 by Jimmy Carter and then reassigned to the newly created Central District in 1979. He became a senior judge in 1994. He was also a judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court until 2005.

Harold Baker
Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
In office May 18, 1998 – May 18, 2005
Appointed by	William Rehnquist
Preceded by	Charles Schwartz Jr.
Succeeded by	Malcolm Jones Howard
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office October 4, 1994 – January 2, 2022
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office 1984–1991
Preceded by	J. Waldo Ackerman
Succeeded by	Michael M. Mihm
Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
In office March 31, 1979 – October 4, 1994
Appointed by	operation of law
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	Michael P. McCuskey
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois
In office September 23, 1978 – March 31, 1979
Appointed by	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Henry Seiler Wise
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Personal details
Born	Harold Albert Baker (1929-10-04)October 4, 1929 Mt. Kisco, New York, U.S.
Died	September 18, 2023(2023-09-18) (aged 93) Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Columbia University University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (AB, JD)

Education and career

Baker attended Columbia University, then received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1951. He was in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1953, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant. He received a Juris Doctor from University of Illinois College of Law in 1956. He was in private practice of law in Champaign, Illinois, from 1956 to 1978, and was an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois College of Law from 1972 to 1978. He was senior counsel for the United States President's Commission on CIA activities within the United States in 1975.

Federal judicial service

Baker was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on August 9, 1978, to a seat vacated by Judge Henry Seiler Wise on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois. Baker was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 1978, and received his commission on September 23, 1978. In 1978, the Eastern District and Southern District of Illinois were rearranged into the Southern District and Central District of Illinois. Baker was reassigned to the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois on March 31, 1979, by operation of law. In the Central District he served as Chief Judge from 1984 to 1991, and assumed senior status on October 4, 1994. Baker was on the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from May 18, 1995 to May 18, 2005, having been appointed by Chief Justice William Rehnquist. FISC judges serve seven-year terms.

Personal life

Baker was born on October 4, 1929, in Mt. Kisco, New York. He died in Champaign, Illinois, on September 18, 2023, at the age of 93.

External links

• Harold Albert Baker at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
• Judges Testimony at Senate FISA Hearing: The Transcripts — transcripts of several former FISC judges, including Baker, in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee