Marjorie Rendell

The Honorable Marjorie Rendell
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Incumbent
Assumed office September 29, 1997
Nominated by	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	William D. Hutchinson
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
In office February 11, 1994 – November 20, 1997
Nominated by	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Louis C. Bechtle
Succeeded by	Vacant
First Lady of Pennsylvania
In office January 21, 2003 – January 18, 2011
Preceded by	Katherine Schweiker
Succeeded by	Susan Corbett
Personal details
Born	1947 Wilmington, Delaware
Nationality	United States
Spouse(s)	Ed Rendell
Children	Jesse Rendell
Residence	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Alma mater	University of Pennsylvania Georgetown University Villanova University School of Law
Occupation	Jurist Attorney

Marjorie ("Midge") Osterlund Rendell (born 1947) is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a former First Lady of Pennsylvania. In 2003, she was named to the PoliticsPA list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women".

Personal background

Rendell was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Her father was employed as a DuPont executive and she attended Ursuline Academy.

She married Ed Rendell, the former Governor of Pennsylvania, in 1971. On January 21, 2003, Judge Rendell administered the oath of office to her husband after he won the gubernatorial election in November, 2002. During her husband's campaigns for mayor and governor, Rendell was barred by the federal judicial ethics code from publicly campaigning on his behalf, as well as from taking part in some fundraisers. Media reports, on February 7, 2011, that a joint email from the couple announced that they have amicably separated. They have one adult son, Jesse.

Professional background

Private practice

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law in 1973. Afterward, she practiced as an attorney for 20 years as a partner at the Philadelphia firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, where she focused her practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation. She also served as a mediator for the United States District Court.

While in private practice, Judge Rendell experienced sexism originating from both her clients and cohorts. At times, she was called "honey" by her male colleagues and would hide or downplay the existence of her then young son.

U.S. District Court

In 1994, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to serve as a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

U.S. Court of Appeals

In 1997, she was once again nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate, this time for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit where she continues to serve as an appellate judge today. The district hears cases from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands.

In 2008, Judge Rendell served as a part of a three-judge panel that overturned the Federal Communications Commission's indecency fine against CBS related to Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson's infamous 2004 Super Bowl 'wardrobe malfunction'.

Philanthropy

In 1993, Rendell founded and managed Avenue of the Arts, Inc., whose purpose was to develop Philadelphia's Broad Street into a world-class artistic venue. She currently serves as one of the members of the board of directors. She is also a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.

External links

• Judges of the United States Courts