Judges Quitting Over Low Pay, U.S. Panel Told

WASHINGTON — Increasing numbers of judges are quitting the federal bench because they can make far more money in private legal practice, two former judges and the American Bar Assn. said Friday in urging a pay increase for jurists.

“The long neglect of the basic need of our federal judges for fair and just salaries has reached the point where the effective functioning of the federal court system is endangered,” said Robert D. Raven, ABA president, in testimony before a presidential panel studying pay increases for top federal officials.

Raven said an ABA review found that dozens of federal judges intend to quit because they can earn more in private practice.

Former Judges Testify

Raven’s statement was echoed by two former judges, Robert Duncan of Columbus, Ohio, and Lynn C. Higby of Panama City, Fla. Both told the commission they quit to earn more money.

The panel, known formally as the President’s Quadrennial Commission on Executive, Legislative and Judicial Salaries, meets after every presidential election to review the salaries of members of Congress, judges and top executive branch officials, including Cabinet officers.

If the panel recommends a pay increase and that proposal is endorsed by President Reagan in the budget he sends Congress on Jan. 9, the hike would go into effect unless both the House and Senate vote against it within 30 days.

Members of Congress and federal district judges are now paid $89,500, and federal appellate judges are paid $94,500.