Sharon Johnson Coleman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sharon Johnson Coleman
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Coleman in 2019
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| Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois | |
| Assumed office July 13, 2010 |
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| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Mark Filip |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sharon Lynn Johnson
July 19, 1960 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | Northern Illinois University (BA) Washington University in St. Louis (JD) |
Sharon Lynn Johnson Coleman was born on July 19, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. She is a very important judge who works for the United States government. She is currently a United States District Judge in the Northern District of Illinois. Before this, she was a justice on the Illinois Appellate Court.
Contents
Early Life and School
Sharon Coleman grew up in Chicago. She went to Northern Illinois University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1981. After that, she studied law at Washington University School of Law and received her law degree in 1984.
Her Career Journey
After finishing law school, Sharon Coleman began her career as a lawyer. She worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County from 1984 to 1989. Then, she became an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, working there until 1993.
From 1993 to 1996, she was a Deputy State’s Attorney. In this role, she led the Public Interest Bureau for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Becoming a Judge
In 1996, Sharon Coleman became a judge on the Cook County Circuit Court. She worked in different areas, including helping children in the child protection division. She served in this role until 2008.
From 2008 to 2010, she was a judge on the Illinois Appellate Court in Chicago. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts.
Federal Judge Service
On February 24, 2010, President Barack Obama chose Sharon Coleman to be a federal judge. She was nominated to fill a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The United States Senate voted to approve her on July 12, 2010, with a vote of 86 to 0. She officially started her new role as a federal judge on July 13, 2010.
Important Cases
Judge Coleman has overseen many important cases during her time as a judge.
- Marriage Equality: In February 2014, she made a ruling that allowed same-sex couples to marry in Illinois earlier than planned. This was a significant decision for marriage equality in the state.
- Public Official Case: In 2015, Judge Coleman sentenced a former state representative, Derrick Smith. He was involved in a case about public trust. Judge Coleman ordered him to serve time in prison and complete community service.
- Technology Dispute: In 2011, she handled a case about electronic trading software. This case involved two companies, and Judge Coleman made a ruling that helped one of the companies, Trading Technologies International Inc. She also ordered penalties against the other company for not providing important information.
- Gun Law Ruling: In March 2024, Judge Coleman made a ruling about a federal law that limits who can own firearms. She decided that while the law is generally constitutional, it could not be applied to a specific person in one case. This decision was based on new guidance from higher courts about gun rights.
Personal Life
Sharon Coleman is married to Wheeler Coleman. They live in Chicago.
See also
