Dana Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dana Douglas
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| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | |
| Assumed office December 16, 2022 |
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| Appointed by | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | James L. Dennis |
| Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana | |
| In office January 6, 2019 – December 16, 2022 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dana Marie Douglas
1975 (age 49–50) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Education | Miami University (BA) Loyola University New Orleans (JD) |
Dana Marie Douglas (born in 1975) is an American lawyer who serves as a judge. She is a United States circuit judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before this, she was a United States magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana from 2019 to 2022.
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Learning and School
Douglas went to St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Miami University in 1997. A BA is a four-year college degree. She then earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2000. A JD is a law degree, which you need to become a lawyer.
Her Work History
From 2000 to 2001, Douglas worked as a law clerk for Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle. A law clerk helps a judge with research and writing. Judge Lemelle worked at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Helping the Community
From 2003 to 2013, Douglas was a member of the New Orleans Civil Service Commission. This group helps make sure that city workers are treated fairly. It also sets rules for how city employees should act.
Douglas helped make decisions about city workers. For example, she supported the decision to suspend a police officer. This officer had acted improperly towards a civilian. She also supported actions against officers who used their jobs to make extra money.
Working as a Lawyer
Douglas was also a partner at a law firm called Liskow & Lewis for 17 years. This firm is in New Orleans. It mainly works with companies in the energy and oil industries.
Douglas has also been a leader in the legal community. She was president of the New Orleans Bar Association. This group supports lawyers in the city. She also led the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Society. This group works to promote justice and fairness. Douglas also volunteered at legal clinics. These clinics offer free legal help to people who need it.
Becoming a Federal Judge
Douglas became a United States magistrate judge on January 6, 2019. She worked at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Nomination and Confirmation
On June 15, 2022, President Joe Biden chose Douglas to be a United States circuit judge. This job is for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. President Biden nominated her to take the place of Judge James L. Dennis. Judge Dennis decided to take a less active role once a new judge was confirmed.
On July 27, 2022, a meeting was held about her nomination. This meeting was with the Senate Judiciary Committee. On September 15, 2022, the committee voted to approve her nomination. The vote was 16 to 6.
On December 8, 2022, the United States Senate voted to move forward with her nomination. On December 13, 2022, the Senate confirmed her nomination. The final vote was 65 to 31. She officially became a judge on December 16, 2022. She is the first Black woman to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court.
Important Cases
In 2023, Judge Douglas was part of a big decision in the case United States vs. Abbott. She wrote the main opinion for the court. The court decided that Texas had to remove a "floating barrier" from the Rio Grande river. This barrier was put there by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. It was part of a plan to stop illegal immigration.
Later, the full Fifth Circuit Court reviewed the decision. They reversed it, meaning they changed the outcome. Judge Douglas wrote a long paper explaining why she disagreed with their new decision.
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