Vanessa Lynne Bryant facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vanessa L. Bryant
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
Incumbent
Assumed office February 1, 2021
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
In office April 2, 2007 – February 1, 2021
Appointed by	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Dominic J. Squatrito
Succeeded by	Sarala Nagala
Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court
In office September 1, 1998 – April 2, 2007
Constituency	Criminal Division, Waterbury District (1998–2000) Criminal Division, Hartford District (1999–2001) Civil Division, New Britain District (2002–2003) Litchfield District (2003–2004) Civil Division, Hartford District (2004–2007)
Vice President and General Counsel of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
In office May 1990 – June 1992
Appointed by	William A. O'Neill
Personal details
Born	Vanessa Lynne Bryant (1954-01-27) January 27, 1954 (age 71) Queens, New York, U.S.
Spouse	Tracy L. Rich
Residences	Avon, Connecticut, U.S.
Education	Howard University (BA) University of Connecticut (JD)

Vanessa Lynne Bryant (born January 27, 1954) is a very important judge in the United States. She works as a senior United States district judge for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. This means she helps make decisions in federal court cases.

Her Early Life and Education

Vanessa Bryant was born in Queens, New York. She went to Howard University and earned her first degree in 1975. Later, she studied law at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She received her law degree, called a Juris Doctor, in 1978.

Her Journey as a Lawyer

After finishing law school, Vanessa Bryant started her career as a lawyer. From 1975 to 1976, she worked for the government in Stamford, Connecticut. She also worked for private law firms and big companies like Aetna and Shawmut Bank.

From 1990 to 1992, she was a Vice President and General Counsel for the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. This role involved giving legal advice to a group that helps people find homes. She also joined the Connecticut Board of Pardons in 1991, staying there until 1998. This board reviews requests from people who want their criminal records cleared.

Becoming a Judge

Vanessa Bryant became a judge in 1998. This was a big step in her career, moving from being a lawyer to someone who makes legal decisions.

Serving as a State Judge

From 1998 to 2007, she served as a judge in the Connecticut Superior Court. This is a state-level court. During this time, she handled many different types of cases. She was a leading judge in various divisions, including civil and criminal cases, in different parts of Connecticut.

Becoming a Federal Judge

In 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Vanessa Bryant to become a federal judge. This means she would work for the United States government, not just the state. She was the first African-American woman to be appointed as a federal judge in New England.

At first, some legal groups had concerns about her qualifications. However, after a second review, the American Bar Association rated her as "qualified." The Senate approved her nomination in March 2007. She officially became a federal judge on April 2, 2007.

In 2021, Judge Bryant took on a "senior status" role. This means she still works as a judge but with a reduced number of cases.

Important Cases She Handled

As a federal judge, Vanessa Bryant has overseen many important cases. One notable case involved a lawsuit filed by former professional wrestlers against a wrestling entertainment company. The wrestlers claimed the company did not protect them from head injuries. Judge Bryant reviewed the case and dismissed the lawsuit in September 2018.

See also

• List of African-American federal judges
• List of African-American jurists

Sources

• Vanessa Lynne Bryant at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
• Information from her Senate confirmation hearing