Morgan Christen
Morgan Christen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2012 | |
| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Andrew Kleinfeld |
| Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Alaska | |
| In office April 5, 2009 – January 11, 2012 | |
| Appointed by | Sarah Palin |
| Preceded by | Warren Matthews |
| Succeeded by | Peter J. Maassen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 5, 1961 Chehalis, Washington, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Washington, Seattle Golden Gate University University of Nevada, Reno |
Morgan Brenda Christen (born December 5, 1961) is a Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Christen previously served on the Alaska Supreme Court having been appointed on March 4, 2009 by Governor Sarah Palin to replace outgoing justice Warren Matthews.[1] The United States Senate confirmed Christen on December 15, 2011 in a 95–3 vote. She received her commission on January 11, 2012.
Early life and education
Christen was born in Chehalis, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and the Golden Gate University School of Law with a J.D. in 1986. She has been a resident of Anchorage, Alaska for 18 years.
Alaska state judicial service
Christen was one of two candidates recommended by the seven-member Alaska Judicial Council to replace Justice Warren Matthews on the Alaska Supreme Court.[2] Christen was opposed by anti-abortion advocacy groups due to her service as a Planned Parenthood board member in the mid-1990s.[1][2] Nonetheless, on March 4, 2009, Governor Sarah Palin selected Christen to fill the vacancy on the Alaska Supreme Court.[2]
Federal judicial service
In July 2010, Christen confirmed that the Obama White House was considering her to fill the vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit created when Judge Andrew Kleinfeld assumed senior status.[citation needed]
On May 18, 2011, Obama nominated Christen to the vacancy on the Ninth Circuit.[3] On September 8, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported her nomination to the Senate floor by voice vote. The Senate confirmed Christen in a 95–3 vote on December 15, 2011.[4] She received her commission on January 11, 2012.[5]
References
- ^ a b Sutton, Anne (March 8, 2009). "Palin pick to be 2nd female on Alaska court". Juneau Empire. Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
- ^ a b c Demer, Lisa (March 4, 2009). "Palin bucks pressure in Supreme Court appointment". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
- ^ http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/18/president-obama-nominates-justice-morgan-christen-united-states-court-ap
- ^ Senate Roll Call
- ^ Biographical Directory of Federal Judges
External links
- Morgan Christen at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- 1961 births
- Alaska Supreme Court justices
- American women judges
- Golden Gate University School of Law alumni
- Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Living people
- People from Chehalis, Washington
- United States court of appeals judges appointed by Barack Obama
- 21st-century American judges
- University of Washington alumni
- Women in Alaska politics