Name Roger Wollman | Preceded by Pasco Bowman Preceded by Seat established | |
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Roger L. Wollman (born May 29, 1934) is a United States Circuit Judge and former chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He is the older brother of Harvey L. Wollman, former Governor of South Dakota.
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Early life and education
Born in Frankfort, South Dakota, Roger's parents were Edwin J. Wollman (1907–1981) and Katherine (Kleinsasser) Wollman (1905–2002). His ancestors were ethnic Germans living in Russia. He attended Doland High School. Wollman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tabor College in 1957. He was in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. He then attended the University of South Dakota School of Law, graduating magna cum laude in 1962 with a Juris Doctor. In 1964, he received a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School.
Early career
Wollman began his career as a law clerk to Judge George Theodore Mickelson of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota from 1962 to 1963. He was in private practice of law in Aberdeen, South Dakota, from 1964 to 1971, and served as a State's attorney of Aberdeen from 1967 to 1971. Prior to his nomination to the Eighth Circuit, Wollman served for fourteen years on the Supreme Court of South Dakota. From 1978 to 1982, he served as Chief Justice on that Court.
Federal judicial service
Wollman was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on June 25, 1985, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, to a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333. Wollman was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 19, 1985, and he received his commission on July 22, 1985. From 1999 to 2002, Wollman served as Chief Judge. Wollman maintains his chambers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.