Marina,
I consulted Mary Jane McCaffree and Pauline Innis, Protocol: The
Complete Handbook of Diplomatic, Official and Social Usage (rev. ed.
1985). It lists forms of address for Retired Chief Justice and Retired
Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court that are parallel to
sitting Justices. A note indicates "Retired Associate Justices retain
their titles. Those who resign do not." p.52. There are examples for lower
court and state court judges, but not for retired lower court and state
court judges.
Bryan Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage comments on forms
of address (including the Judge/Justice dichotomy), but not the former
judge issue. The New York Public Library Desk Reference and The World
Almanac have basic forms of address for judges but nothing about former
judges.
My sense is that it's probably an acceptable courtesy to call
former judges "Judge" forever. Some people might have a bunch of possible
titles. For instance Abner Mikva, former Representative, former Judge,
current Professor. Or Tom Foley, former Representative, former Speaker,
current Ambassador. Use the current title, if there is one. If the
situation allows it, it might be best to find out what the individual
prefers. For instance, call the person's secretary and ask: Does this
individual who is retired (or lost the last election or resigned) prefer
to be called Mr./Ms. or Judge?
Good luck. By the way, was Col. Sanders really a Colonel? And if
he's really wielding a light saber these days, is he now a Jedi Knight? So
should he be called "Master Sanders?"
-- Mary
* Mary Whisner, Head of Reference, Gallagher Law Library
* University of Washington, Seattle, WA . . . whisner@u.washington.edu
* library's website: http://lib.law.washington.edu
On Tue, 22 Jun 1999, Marina Parascenzo-Brush wrote:
> Can someone out there tell me how to address a former judge? Do you
> still use the title "judge," as we do with former presidents? Thanks!
>
> --Marina Parascenzo-Brush
> Stoel Rives, LLP
> Seattle, WA
>
>
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