Arianna J. Freeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arianna Freeman
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| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| Assumed office October 20, 2022 |
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| Appointed by | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Theodore McKee |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Arianna Julia Freeman
1978 (age 46–47) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Swarthmore College (BA) Yale University (JD) |
Arianna Julia Freeman (born 1978) is an American lawyer from Pennsylvania. She now serves as a United States circuit judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. This court hears appeals from federal district courts in certain states.
Early Life and Education
Arianna Freeman was born in 1978 in Boston, Massachusetts. She went to Swarthmore College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001. Later, she studied law at Yale Law School and received her Juris Doctor degree in 2007.
Her Career as a Lawyer
After law school, Ms. Freeman worked as a law clerk for two judges. A law clerk helps a judge by doing research and writing. She worked for Judge James T. Giles from 2007 to 2008. Then, she worked for Judge C. Darnell Jones II from 2008 to 2009. Both judges were in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
From 2009 to 2022, she worked at the Federal Community Defender Office. This office provides legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer. She started as an assistant federal defender. She helped with research and writing from 2009 to 2014. Later, she worked in a special unit from 2014 to 2016. From 2016 to 2022, she was a managing attorney for the office in Philadelphia.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On January 19, 2022, President Joe Biden announced he wanted to nominate Arianna Freeman to be a federal judge. She was chosen for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. This position became open when Judge Theodore McKee decided to take "senior status." This means a judge can work a reduced schedule.
Her nomination was discussed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. During her hearing, senators asked her many questions about her past work. The committee voted on her nomination, but it was a tie.
Later, the United States Senate voted to move her nomination forward. After more votes and discussions, the Senate confirmed her nomination. This happened on September 29, 2022. She officially became a judge on October 20, 2022. Arianna Freeman is the first African-American woman to serve on the Third Circuit Court.
See Also
- List of African American federal judges
- List of African American jurists
- Joe Biden judicial appointment controversies
- Joe Biden Supreme Court candidates
