Daniel L. Herrmann

Daniel Lionel Herrmann (June 10, 1913 – June 2, 1991) was a Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court from 1965 to 1985, serving as Chief Justice from 1973 to 1985.[1]

Herrmann served as an Assistant United States Attorney until he was appointed to the Delaware Superior Court by Governor Elbert N. Carvel, taking office on January 12, 1951. He resigned from that seat on April 15, 1958 to return to private practice.[2]

On December 13, 1964, Carvel nominated Herrmann to succeed Chief Justice Charles L. Terry, Jr., but this move was strongly opposed by supporters of Daniel F. Wolcott, who instead ultimately received the appointment, with Herrmann becoming an Associate Justice. However, there was no opposition when Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt nominated Herrmann to succeed Wolcott, on August 9, 1973.[1] Herrmann served in that capacity until his retirement, on July 31, 1985.[2]

Among Herrmann's law clerks was Thomas L. Ambro, who went on to become a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.[3]

Herrmann was Jewish.[4] He died suddenly from a heart attack in the Philadelphia International Airport, in 1991.[1] In 1996, the New Castle County Courthouse was renamed the Daniel L. Herrmann Courthouse in his honor.[5] After the courts moved to a newly constructed courthouse the old courthouse was sold to a credit card company and his name was removed from the building.

References

1. Henry R. Horsey and William Duffy, The Supreme Court of Delaware After 1951: The Separate Supreme Court.
2. "Delaware Superior Court History: Our Judicial Officers", Delaware State Courts.
3. Almanac of the Federal Judiciary (2011), p. 9.
4. "Jews of Delaware".
5. "History of the Court of Common Pleas", Delaware State Courts.