Born in Winfield, Kansas, McDermott received a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1908 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1909.

[1] McDermott was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on January 12, 1928, to the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, to a new seat authorized by 40 Stat.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 16, 1928, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on April 30, 1929, due to his elevation to the Tenth Circuit.

[1] McDermott was nominated by President Herbert Hoover on April 18, 1929, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, to a new seat authorized by 45 Stat.