Born in Rochester, New York, Theodore McKee graduated from SUNY Cortland in 1969 with a bachelors degree in Political Science. While at Cortland, he played football in the mid 1960's as an End. In 1975 He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the Syracuse University College of Law, where he would go onto have a remarkable legal career.
After earning his degree, McKee worked for a private practice in Philadelphia. He would move on to become the Assistant United States Attorney for Eastern Pennsylvania. Remaining in Philadelphia in the 1980's, McKee acted as the Deputy City Solicitor, General Council for the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and was elected as a Judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. In 1994 he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, where he served as Chief Judge from 2010-2016.
In addition to serving on the Third Circuit, Judge McKee has contributed his time to several boards and committees including the Temple Law School Board of Visitors, Syracuse University Board of Visitors, Board of the Rendell Center for Civil Engagement, the Vera Institute of Justice, National Academy of Science Committee on Law and Justice, and many others (National Constitution center).
In 2005 Judge McKee returned to Cortland to deliver the commencement address and received an honorary degree from the SUNY system.
Judge Theodore McKee, image credit: The Constitution Center.
