Justice James T. Hallinan was born in New York on June 1, 1889. He earned his law degree from New York Law School in 1911.
Hallinan became Queens District Attorney in 1930 and won election to the Supreme Court in Queens in 1931 and 1945. He was designated to the Appellate Division, Second Department in 1955. After his retirement from the bench in 1960, he continued to serve as an official referee until 1966.
Hallinan was a trustee of several academic, religious and other institutions including New York Law School. He also participated in fraternal organizations, serving as Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, president of the Emerald Institution of Brooklyn and state chairman of the Knights of Columbus. His activity with the Dominican Order earned him a Bene Merente Medal and he was named a Knight of St. Gregory.
Hallinan had three children and 12 grandchildren. He died in Long Island on July 4, 1969 at the age of 80.
Sources
“Ex-Justice James Hallinan Dies; Served in the Appellate Division.” New York Times (1923-Current file): 44. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). Jul 06 1969. Web. 14 Dec. 2011.