Blanche M. Manning facts for kids

Blanche M. Manning (December 12, 1934 – September 20, 2020) was an important American judge. She served on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, which is a major court in the United States. She was known for her long career in law and her dedication to justice.

Early Life and Education

Manning was born in Chicago, Illinois. She loved learning and went to several universities. In 1961, she earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Chicago Teachers College. This degree helps people become teachers.

She then studied law. In 1967, she received her Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School. This is the main degree for lawyers. She continued her studies, earning a Master of Arts degree from Roosevelt University in 1972. Later, in 1992, she earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. This shows her deep commitment to legal education.

Legal Career

Manning had a varied and impressive legal career. From 1968 to 1973, she worked as an assistant attorney in Cook County, Illinois. She helped the state attorney with legal cases.

After that, from 1973 to 1977, she was a supervisory trial attorney for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Chicago. This organization works to prevent unfair treatment in workplaces. She also taught at Malcolm X College for a year.

In 1977, Manning became a corporate litigation attorney for United Airlines. This meant she handled lawsuits for the company. A year later, she became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. In this role, she represented the U.S. government in court. During this time, she also taught law at the National Conference of Black Lawyers Community College of Law.

In 1979, she began her career as a judge. She served as an Associate Circuit Court Judge in Cook County until 1986. She then became a lead Circuit Judge in the Illinois Cook Judicial Circuit Court from 1986 to 1987. From 1987 to 1994, she was a Justice in the Illinois First District Appellate Court. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts. She also taught as a professor at the DePaul University College of Law from 1992 to 1994.

Federal Judicial Service

In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated Blanche Manning to become a federal judge. She was recommended by former Senator Carol Moseley Braun. She was chosen to fill a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This is a very important court that handles federal cases.

The Senate approved her nomination on August 9, 1994. She officially became a judge on August 10, 1994. She served as a federal judge for many years. On February 1, 2010, she took senior status. This means a judge can reduce their workload but still hear cases. She passed away on September 20, 2020, at the age of 85.

Notable Rulings

Judge Manning was known for her work on important cases. One well-known case involved Mark Whitacre. He was a "whistleblower" who told authorities about a company unfairly setting prices. Judge Manning oversaw his sentencing.

She also presided over a case called Robert E. Kolody vs. Simon Marketing and The Coca-Cola Company. These cases show the wide range of legal issues federal judges handle.

See also

• List of African-American jurists