Joseph Carmine Zavatt

Zavatt was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 21, 1957, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York vacated by Judge Clarence G. Galston. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 5, 1957, and received his commission on August 7, 1957. He served as Chief Judge from 1962 to 1969. He assumed senior status on December 31, 1970. His service terminated on August 31, 1985, due to his death.

Zavatt was active in the Nassau County Bar Association, serving as its President in 1950. He was also instrumental in creating the Legal Aid Society in Nassau County.

Joseph Carmine Zavatt (September 19, 1900 – August 31, 1985) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York from 1957 to 1985 and its Chief Judge from 1962 to 1969.

Born on September 19, 1900, in Lawrence, Nassau County, New York, Zavatt was the son of Vincent Zavatto, a real estate professional and author who immigrated to the United States from San Martino di Finita, Italy in 1892. Zavatto later changed his name to "Zavatt" after a teacher misspelled it making his name more "American." Vincent Zavatt volunteered his services as Deputy Sheriff in Inwood, New York and helped eradicate the notorious Black Hand in Inwood, His efforts in the community and the Democratic Party led to the town of Inwood naming a street after him "Zavatt Street." Zavatt received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1922 from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Laws in 1924 from Columbia Law School. He served as a private in the United States Army during World War I from 1918 to 1919, and as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II serving three years of active duty. He entered private practice in Nassau County from 1927 to 1957. He was an Instructor at the School of Business Administration at New York University from 1930 to 1933. He was counsel to the New York State Legislature from 1948 to 1953.