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Beth Robinson

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Beth Robinson
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 5, 2021
Appointed byJoe Biden
Preceded byPeter W. Hall
Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
In office
November 28, 2011 – November 5, 2021
Appointed byPeter Shumlin
Preceded byDenise R. Johnson
Succeeded byNancy Waples
Legal Counsel to the Governor of Vermont
In office
January 5, 2011 – November 27, 2011
GovernorPeter Shumlin
Preceded bySusanne Young
Succeeded bySarah E.B. London
Personal details
Born (1965-03-06) March 6, 1965 (age 59)
Karachi, Pakistan
SpouseKym Boyman
ResidenceFerrisburgh, Vermont
Alma materDartmouth College (BA)
University of Chicago (JD)

Beth Robinson (born March 6, 1965) is an American lawyer and judge from Vermont. She is a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and is the first openly lesbian judge to serve on any federal court of appeals. Robinson served as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court from 2011 to 2021.

Robinson was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and she was raised and educated in Indiana. She graduated from Dartmouth College (BA, 1986) and the University of Chicago Law School (JD, 1989). After serving as a law clerk for a federal judge, Robinson joined Vermont's Langrock, Sperry & Wool law firm, where she was active on cases related to workers' compensation, personal injury, and constitutional law. Robinson became active in the movement for expanded rights for gays and lesbians, and served as co-counsel in the case of Baker v. State, the 1999 decision that led to Vermont passing the first civil unions law. As chair of the Vermont Freedom to Marry organization, Robinson was a high-profile supporter of same-sex marriage, and worked with leaders of the Vermont General Assembly on passage of the 2009 Marriage Equality Act.

After working on Peter Shumlin's successful campaign for governor in 2010, Robinson joined his staff as legal counsel, a position which included drafting and analyzing proposed legislation and regulations, making recommendations on whether to approve requests for pardons, and ensuring compliance with ethics rules. In 2011, Shumlin appointed Robinson as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. She served until 2021, when she resigned after having been confirmed as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Early life and education

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Robinson was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 6, 1965, the daughter of Dr. Robert D. Robinson Jr. and Cynthia (Pittenger) Robinson.[1][2][3][4] Robinson's father worked in Pakistan at the time of her birth, and she was raised in Indiana.[5][6] In 1982, she graduated from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.[7][8] While at Brebeuf, Robinson was a member of the basketball and tennis teams, the French club, and the orchestra.[7] She won honors in mathematics contests and won the Optimist's Club's oratorical contest.[7] At graduation, Robinson was named a National Merit Scholar.[7]

In 1986, Robinson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and government from Dartmouth College, and she graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.[9][10][11][12] During 1985, she spent a semester abroad as a student at the University of Edinburgh.[6]

Robinson graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1989, and was admitted to the Order of the Coif.[12][13][14] She was a recipient of the Mechem Prize, a full merit scholarship.[9] While in law school, Robinson was a member of the University of Chicago Law Review[15] and then served as an associate editor.[16]

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After graduating from law school, Robinson was a law clerk for Judge David B. Sentelle of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1989 to 1990.[17] She was an associate attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom of Washington, D.C. from 1990 to 1991 and self employed as an attorney under contract by Hirschkop & Associates of Alexandria, Virginia from 1992 to 1993.[18] Robinson was employed for 18 years at Langrock, Sperry & Wool, a law firm with offices in Burlington and Middlebury.[17] While there, she worked on issues of workers' compensation, personal injury, constitutional law and, most prominently, gay and lesbian rights.[19]

Robinson served as co-counsel in the case of Baker v. State, the landmark 1999 decision that led to Vermont becoming the first state to enact civil unions.[20] She was subsequently involved in the 2009 legislative battle to enact same-sex marriage, chairing the Vermont Freedom to Marry advocacy organization and working closely with Peter Shumlin, a prominent supporter of same-sex marriage, who was then President pro tempore of the Vermont Senate.[21]

In addition to practicing law, Robinson has also taught at the college level.[22] She was a senior lecturer at Dartmouth College during the 2006 summer term and again during the 2009 spring term.[22] Robinson served as a justice of the peace for the town of Ferrisburgh from 2003 to 2011.[23] In 2008, she was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and pledged to support Hillary Clinton.[23]

From 1999 to 2010, Robinson served on the Vermont Board of Bar Examiners.[24] She was an associate member from 1999 to 2003, and an examiner from 2003 to 2009.[24] From 2009 to 2010 she served as the board's vice chair, and she served as chair in 2010.[24] Robinson was active in Shumlin's successful 2010 gubernatorial campaign, then joined his administration as his general counsel.[17]

Judicial career

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Vermont Supreme Court

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On October 18, 2011, Shumlin announced he was appointing Robinson to the Associate Justice's seat on the Vermont Supreme Court that had been vacated by Denise R. Johnson's retirement in August 2011.[25] Since the Senate was not in session at the time, Robinson's appointment was considered interim until the Senate convened and acted upon her nomination.[26] She was sworn in as an interim member of the court on November 28, 2011.[27] The Senate voted on her nomination on February 7, 2012, and approved it by a 26–0 vote.[28] Four of the thirty senators were absent for the vote: all four announced their support for Robinson's nomination the following day.[29] Her service terminated when she resigned after being confirmed as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.[30]

Federal judicial service

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On August 5, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Robinson to serve as a United States circuit judge for the Second Circuit.[31] President Biden nominated Robinson to the seat vacated by Judge Peter W. Hall, who assumed senior status on March 4, 2021.[32] On September 14, 2021, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[33] During Robinson's confirmation hearing, she faced questioning from Republican Senators over her views on religious freedom.[34] As a lawyer in private practice, she had represented a woman who sued a local print shop for refusing to print cards for an organization called Vermont Catholics for Choice.[34] The owners of the print shop, who were Catholic, said they did not believe Catholics could support abortion.[34] On October 21, 2021, her nomination was reported out of committee by a 10–9 vote.[35] On October 25, 2021, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer filed cloture on her nomination.[36] On October 28, 2021, the United States Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a 51–36 vote.[37] On November 1, 2021, her nomination was confirmed by a 51–45 vote.[38] She received her judicial commission on November 5, 2021.[39] She is the first openly gay woman to serve on any federal circuit court.[40]

Personal life

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Family

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Robinson is a resident of Ferrisburgh.[41] She and her wife Kym Boyman entered into a civil union in 2001 and got married in 2010.[27]

Honors and awards

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Robinson is the recipient of the following awards:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Robert Robinson To Wed Cynthia Pittenger August 24". Indianapolis News. Indianapolis, IN. August 7, 1952. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Hospital Ball Promises To Be An Adventure: Mrs. Robert (Cynny) Robinson". The Times-Mail. Bedford, IN. January 23, 1972. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Justice Beth Robinson – Nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit". The Vetting Room. Arlington, VA: Harsh Voruganti. August 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Committee on the Judiciary. "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees, Beth Robinson" (PDF). Washington, DC: U.S. Senate. p. 1. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Robinson, Robert D. Jr.; et al. (October 1966). "Acute Rheumatic Fever in Karachi, Pakistan". The American Journal of Cardiology. 18 (4): 548–551. doi:10.1016/0002-9149(66)90009-9. PMID 5923981.
  6. ^ a b "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees", p. 1.
  7. ^ a b c d "County's No. 1 Seniors Planning Careers". Indianapolis News. Indianapolis, IN. May 28, 1982. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Fitzgerald, Jennifer (Infanger), ed. (Spring 2010). "Alumni Notes: Beth Robinson '82". Brebeuf Bylines. Indianapolis, IN: Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. p. 32 – via Issuu.com.
  9. ^ a b "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees", p. 6.
  10. ^ Bonauto, Mary; Murray, Susan M.; Robinson, Beth (1999). "The Freedom to Marry for Same-Sex Couples: The Opening Appellate Brief of Plaintiffs Stan Baker Et Al. In Baker Et Al. V. State of Vermont" (PDF). Michigan Journal of Gender & Law. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. p. 1.
  11. ^ "Words of Wisdom: Eighteen alums offer new graduates advice to live by". Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Hanover, NH: Dartmouth College. May–June 2019.
  12. ^ a b Olinick, Michael (January 1, 2010). "Vermonter of the Year nominations for Beth Robinson". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. p. 4A – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Galloway, Anne (October 18, 2011). "Gay marriage activist named to Vermont Supreme Court". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT.
  14. ^ Donin, Robert (December 15, 2009). "Dartmouth College Law Day Panel: Introduction, Beth Robinson" (PDF). Vermontlaw.edu. South Royalton, VT: Vermont Law School. p. 1. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Eisgruber, Christopher L., ed. (Winter 1988). "Front Matter". The University of Chicago Law Review. 55 (1): Title. JSTOR 1599768.
  16. ^ Barry, James T., ed. (Winter 1989). "Front Matter". The University of Chicago Law Review. 56 (1): Title. JSTOR 1599685.
  17. ^ a b c Heintz, Paul; Duffort, Lola (August 5, 2021). "Biden names Justice Beth Robinson, a champion of marriage equality, to federal appellate court". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT.
  18. ^ "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees", p. 96.
  19. ^ "Miller gets post in Shumlin cabinet". Addison County Independent. November 24, 2010. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  20. ^ "Vermont gov appoints counsel to supreme court". Legal Newsline. October 24, 2011.
  21. ^ "Governor appoints Beth Robinson to Vt SupCo". WCAX. October 18, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  22. ^ a b "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees", p. 3.
  23. ^ a b "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees", p. 95.
  24. ^ a b c "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees", pp. 6–7.
  25. ^ "Beth Robinson Appointed to Vermont Supreme Court". Vermont Bar Foundation News. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Bar Foundation. October 19, 2011.
  26. ^ "Vermont Constitution, Section 33".
  27. ^ a b "Same-sex marriage advocate joins Vermont Supreme Court". The Burlington Free Press. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013.
  28. ^ "Journal of the Vermont Senate: February 7, 2012" (PDF).
  29. ^ "Journal of the Vermont Senate: February 8, 2012" (PDF).
  30. ^ "Scott to pick successor for vacant seat on the Vermont Supreme Court". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT. November 2, 2021.
  31. ^ "President Biden Names Sixth Round of Judicial Nominees" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  32. ^ "Nominations Sent to the Senate" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. August 5, 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  33. ^ United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Nominations for September 14, 2021
  34. ^ a b c Bradley, Pat (September 17, 2021). "U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing On Nomination Of Vermont Supreme Court Justice To Second Circuit Court Of Appeals". WAMC Radio. Albany, NY.
  35. ^ "Results of Executive Business Meeting – October 21, 2021" (PDF). October 21, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  36. ^ "PN998 — Beth Robinson — The Judiciary". Congress.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  37. ^ "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture: Beth Robinson, of Vermont, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit)". United States Senate. October 28, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  38. ^ "On the Nomination (Confirmation: Beth Robison, of Vermont, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit)". United States Senate. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  39. ^ Beth Robinson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  40. ^ "Biden Announces Two Lesbian Nominees to Federal Judiciary". www.advocate.com. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  41. ^ "Vt. gov.'s high court nominee pushed civil unions, marriage law". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. October 21, 2011.
  42. ^ "Vermonter of the Year is Beth Robinson". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. January 1, 2010. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "This Weekend's College Commencements". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. May 22, 2010. p. 3C – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "JSC Awards 416 Degrees at 145th Commencement". Johnson State College News. Johnson, Vermont: Northern Vermont University, Johnson Campus. May 12, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  45. ^ "Commencements: Burlington College". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. May 18, 2012. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Vt. Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson to deliver Vermont Law School commencement address". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT. April 30, 2014.
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Legal offices
Preceded by Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
2011–2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
2021–present 		Incumbent
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