Arenda Wright Allen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arenda Wright Allen
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| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | |
| Assumed office May 12, 2011 |
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| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Jerome B. Friedman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Arenda Lauretta Wright
December 9, 1960 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (BA) North Carolina Central University (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1985–2005 |
| Rank |  Commander |
| Unit | Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Arenda Lauretta Wright Allen was born on December 9, 1960. She is a very important judge in the United States. She serves as a United States district judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Before becoming a judge, she worked as a lawyer for the government and also as a lawyer who helped people who couldn't afford legal help.
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Her Early Life and Learning
Arenda Wright Allen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She went to Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and earned her first degree in 1982. Later, in 1985, she earned her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. In May 2013, Kutztown University gave her an honorary doctorate, which is a special award.
Her Journey in Law
Wright Allen began her career in law as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps for the United States Navy. She was on active duty from 1985 to 1990. She also served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1992 to 2005.
From 2001 to 2005, she worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This means she was a lawyer who represented the U.S. government in court.
In 2005, Wright Allen joined the Federal Public Defender's Office for the same court. A Federal Public Defender is a lawyer who helps people who are accused of crimes but cannot afford a lawyer. She worked there as a supervisor until she became a federal judge in 2011.
Becoming a Federal Judge
Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner suggested Wright Allen for a judge position. President Barack Obama officially nominated her on December 1, 2010. She was chosen to take the place of Judge Jerome B. Friedman.
The United States Senate voted to confirm her on May 11, 2011. All 96 senators present voted yes, showing strong support. She officially became a judge the very next day.
An Important Decision in Virginia
On February 13, 2014, Judge Allen made a significant ruling. She decided that a law in Virginia about marriage was against the U.S. Constitution. This meant the law was not fair or legal.
In her decision, she first accidentally said that the phrase "all men are created equal" was from the U.S. Constitution. She later corrected this, noting that this famous quote is actually from the Declaration of Independence.
About Her Life
Judge Allen is married to Delroy Allen. He is a retired soccer player from Jamaica who also became an American citizen.
See also
