David N. Hurd (born December 26, 1937) is a Senior United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. Appointed to the federal bench in 1999 by President Bill Clinton, he previously served as a United States Magistrate Judge.
Early Life and Education Born in Oneonta, New York, Hurd pursued his higher education at Hartwick College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959. He subsequently attended Syracuse University College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1963.
Career After graduating from law school, Hurd began his legal career as a law clerk for a New York State Supreme Court Justice from 1963 to 1964. He then entered private practice in Oneonta, New York, establishing a career that spanned over two decades, from 1964 to 1987. During this period, he also held various public service roles, including Otsego County Public Defender from 1968 to 1970 and Corporation Counsel for the City of Oneonta from 1973 to 1987.
In 1987, Hurd was appointed as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York, a position he held for twelve years before his elevation to a District Court judgeship.
Federal Judicial Service On January 26, 1999, President Bill Clinton nominated David N. Hurd to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, which had been vacated by Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. The United States Senate confirmed his appointment on May 27, 1999, and he received his judicial commission on June 1, 1999. Judge Hurd served as an active member of the court for eight years. On December 26, 2007, his 70th birthday, he assumed senior status, a position in which he continues to hear cases and perform judicial duties.
Judicial Philosophy and Impact Throughout his extensive career on the federal bench, Judge Hurd has presided over a wide range of cases, contributing to the legal landscape of the Northern District of New York. His decisions have addressed various areas of federal law, including civil rights, criminal justice, and administrative disputes. As a senior judge, he remains an active contributor to the judicial workload of the court.