William J. Bauer

William J. Bauer
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
In office
October 31, 1994 – December 15, 2025
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
In office
September 1986 – July 31, 1993
Preceded byWalter J. Cummings Jr.
Succeeded byRichard Posner
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
In office
December 20, 1974 – October 31, 1994
Appointed byGerald Ford
Preceded byOtto Kerner Jr.
Succeeded byDiane Wood
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
In office
November 10, 1971 – January 3, 1975
Appointed byRichard Nixon
Preceded byJoseph Sam Perry
Succeeded byAlfred Younges Kirkland Sr.
Personal details
BornWilliam Joseph Bauer
(1926-09-15)September 15, 1926
DiedDecember 15, 2025(2025-12-15) (aged 99)
Spouse
Patricia Spratt
(m. 2013)
EducationElmhurst College (AB)
DePaul University (JD)

William Joseph Bauer (September 15, 1926 – December 15, 2025) was an American judge who was a senior circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago from 1974 until his death, having been nominated to the position by President Gerald Ford. He previously was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois from 1971 until 1975, having been nominated by President Richard Nixon. He was known for presiding over the Amoco Cadiz oil spill case.