Joel Flaum

Joel Martin Flaum (born November 26, 1936) is a United States federal judge.

Born in Hudson, New York, Flaum received a B.A. from Union College in 1958, a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1963, and an LL.M. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1964. He was a U.S. Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander, JAG Corps from 1981 to 1992.

Flaum was in private practice in Chicago, Illinois from 1964 to 1965. He then transitioned into public service as an Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County, Illinois, from 1965 to 1969. He served as a Lecturer, Northwestern University School of Law from 1967 to 1969, and he helped found the Police Legal Advisory Program at Northwestern. Flaum was an Assistant Attorney General of Illinois from 1969 to 1970, and he became First Assistant Attorney General of Illinois from 1970 to 1972. He was First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 1972 to 1975.

On November 18, 1974, at the age of 38, Flaum was nominated by President Gerald Ford to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated by Philip W. Tone. Flaum was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 1974, and received his commission on December 20, 1974. Flaum served in that capacity until June 1, 1983, due to appointment to another judicial position.

Flaum was then nominated by President Ronald Reagan on April 14, 1983, for elevation to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit vacated by Robert Arthur Sprecher. Flaum was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 4, 1983, and received his commission on May 5, 1983. He served as chief judge from 2000 to 2006. He remains in active service on the Seventh Circuit.