On November 9, 1961, Winter received a
recess appointment from President
John F. Kennedy to a new seat on the
United States District Court for the District of Maryland created by 75 Stat. 80. Formally nominated on January 15, 1962, he was confirmed by the
United States Senate on February 7, 1962, and received his commission on February 17, 1962. His service terminated on June 27, 1966, due to elevation to the Fourth Circuit. On June 13, 1966, Winter was nominated by President
Lyndon B. Johnson to a new seat on the
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit created by 80 Stat. 75. Winter was confirmed by the Senate on June 24, 1966, and received his commission the same day. He served both as Chief Judge and as a member of the
Judicial Conference of the United States from 1981 to 1989, assuming
senior status on January 1, 1990. Winter served in that capacity until his death on April 10, 1990, in Baltimore. ==References==