Passing of the Honorable Robert J. Timlin

Chief Judge Virginia A. Phillips announced the passing of Senior District Judge Robert J. Timlin on January 18, 2017.  Judge Timlin was 84 years old.

Judge Timlin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954, his LL.B in 1959, and his LL.M in 1964, all from Georgetown University.  Before attending law school, Judge Timlin served as a private in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957.  Following law school, he worked as counsel for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and then in private practice.  In 1961, he became a trial attorney in the criminal division for the United States Department of Justice and then served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California from 1964 until 1966.  He then re-entered private practice, and served as City Attorney for the City of Corona in Riverside County, California.

From 1971, when he was appointed as a part-time United States Magistrate for the Central District of California, Judge Timlin served in various judicial offices.  Governor Jerry Brown, Jr. appointed him to the Corona Judicial District Municipal Court in 1976, and to the Riverside County Superior Court in 1980.  Governor George Deukmejian elevated him to the California Court of Appeal, where he served as an Associate Justice from 1990 until 1994.

On April 26, 1994, President William J. Clinton nominated Judge Timlin to be a United States District Judge for the Central District of California.  He was confirmed by the Senate on September 14, 1994 and received his commission on September 15, 1994.  Judge Timlin assumed senior status on February 1, 2005.

Upon learning of Judge Timlin’s death, Chief Judge Phillips said the following:  “Judge Timlin embodied the finest values of the judiciary.  He was universally lauded for his intellect, fairness and diligence, and all who appeared before him experienced his patient and kind demeanor on the bench.  We will miss him very much.”

In honor of Judge Timlin, the flags outside the courthouses of the United States District Court for the Central District of California will be flown at half-mast.

KIRY K. GRAY
CLERK OF COURT