On November 28, 1967, Curtin was nominated by President
Lyndon B. Johnson to a new seat on the
United States District Court for the Western District of New York created by 80 Stat. 75. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on December 14, 1967, and received his commission the same day. He served as chief judge from 1974 to 1989, assuming
senior status on July 1, 1989. ==Retirement and death==