Justice Joseph F. Hawkins, a native of Poughkeepsie, NY, was born in 1916 and attended St. Peter’s grammar and high schools, graduating in 1934. He studied at Fordham University and Fordham Law School, earning his law degree in 1939. Hawkins then began a clerkship in the law offices of James E. Carroll. Following his admission to the bar in 1940, he began practicing law in Poughkeepsie.
Hawkins served as a Supreme Court Justice for the Ninth Judicial District from 1964 until 1978. Gov. Carey designated him as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department in 1976. He retired from the Appellate Division in 1978.
Hawkins was also a member of the Intercollegiate Club and the Fordham Law School Alumni Association.
He married Margaret Helen Burnes in 1941. He died in 1986.
Sources
“N.Y. Bar Admits Two City Men.” Poughkeepsie Star-Enterprise 21 Feb. 1940: 2. Old Fulton NY Postcards. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. http://fultonhistory.com.
“Margaret Burnes Completes Plans for Wedding Dec. 28.” Poughkeepsie Eagle 9 Dec. 1941: 4. Old Fulton NY Postcards. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. http://fultonhistory.com.
“Politics: Voters to View Justice Hawkins Without Any Coattails” New York Times (1923-Current file): WC16. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). Mar 12 1978. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.
“Return Justice Joseph F. Hawkins to Supreme Court.” New York Times (1923-Current file): WC19. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). Nov 01 1981. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.