The Honorable James B. Moran was born in Evanston, Illinois in June 20, 1930. Judge Moran lived a sucessful and meaningful life, while touching the lives of so many others. He received his undergraduate education from the University of Michigan, class of 1952, and received his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1957. He served as a member of the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954.
Judge Moran was committed to public service. Following law school, Judge Moran clerked for Judge Edward Lumbard on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals before joining the firm of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd. He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965-1967 and also served as the Third Ward Alderman in Evanston in the 1970s. In 1979, Judge Moran was appointed to the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois by President Carter. He served as chief judge for five years (1990-1995).
In addition to these accomplishments, Judge Moran belonged to several professional organizations including: the Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Council of Lawyers, the Seventh Circuit Bar Association, and the Legal Club of Chicago. He also served as director of both the Gateway Foundation, Inc. and the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation.
In 1981, Judge Moran became one of five founding board members of the Evanston Community Defender Office, Inc., where he served on the Board of Directors until his passing in 2009. In March 2010, the Board of Directors voted to rename the agency in his honor.
Judge Moran will always be remembered for his passion for youth advocacy, and his incredible legal ability, patience and respect for others. Judge Moran’s legacy will continue on at the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy.
