Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Ackerman received a Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University in 1947 and a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School in 1949.

In the interim, he was in private practice of law in Sangamon County, Illinois.

While in private practice, he was counsel to the municipal corporation of Springfield, Illinois from 1961 to 1962, assistant state treasurer for Illinois from 1963 to 1964, and deputy state attorney general from 1968 to 1971.

[1] Ackerman was nominated by President Gerald Ford on June 18, 1976, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois vacated by Judge Harlington Wood Jr.

His service terminated on March 31, 1979, due to reassignment by operation of law to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois created by 93 Stat.