William C. Conner

William Curtis Conner (March 27, 1920 – July 9, 2009) was a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. His rulings during his 35 years of service covered a broad range of issues, including the First Amendment, property rights to images of the Marx Brothers after their death and songwriter royalties.

Conner was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1941. He received his Bachelor of Laws degree from its University of Texas School of Law in 1942. During World War II, Conner served on a number of aircraft carriers in the United States Navy Reserve in the Pacific Theater of Operations. After his military service, he joined a New York City law firm with a focus on patent law. He was later named president of what became the New York Intellectual Property Law Association.

Conner was nominated as a district judge by President Richard M. Nixon on November 9, 1973, to fill the seat vacated by Edmund L. Palmieri. The appointment was made on the recommendation of U.S. Senator James L. Buckley of New York, who felt strongly that the court needed someone who had practical experience in patent and intellectual property law. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 13, 1973, and received his commission on December 19, 1973.

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