Whelan was nominated by President
Lyndon B. Johnson on August 17, 1964, to a seat on the
United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Judge
Leon Rene Yankwich. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on September 15, 1964, and received his commission the same day. He was reassigned by
operation of law to the
United States District Court for the Central District of California, to a new seat established by 80 Stat. 75 on September 18, 1966. He assumed
senior status on January 7, 1978. Whelan served in that capacity until his death on August 22, 1991, in
Palm Desert, California. ==References==