Morgan Christen

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Morgan Christen
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Current Court Information:
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Title:   Judge
Station:   Anchorage, AK
Service:
Appointed by:   Barack Obama
Approval vote:   95-3
Active:   1/11/2012 - Present
Past post:   Alaska Supreme Court
Past term:   2009-2011
Personal History
Born:   1961
Home State:   Chehalis, WA
Bachelors:   U. of Washington, 1983
Law School:   Golden Gate U. Law, 1986

Contents

Morgan Brenda Christen is a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She joined the court in 2011 after a nomination from Barack Obama. At the time of nomination, she served as a judge on the Alaska Supreme Court, a post she had held since 2009.[1][2]

Early life and education

Judge Christen began her course work at Richmond College in London in 1979. She then studied at the American College of Switzerland in 1980. She continued her studies at Nanjing University, Peoples Republic of China in 1982. She earned her undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of Washington in 1983, and her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law in 1986.[3][4]

Professional career

Following her admission to the bar Christen clerked for Judge Brian Shortell. From 1987-2002, Christen worked for Preston, Gates & Ellis, concentrating on civil litigation. In 2001, she was appointed to serve the Alaska Superior Court Third District by Governor Tony Knowles. After four years on the court, she was named Presiding Judge. Christen was appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court in 2009 to fill the vacancy left by retiring Justice Warren Matthews.[3] Christen was the second woman to serve on the Alaska Supreme Court, with Justice Dana Fabe being the first.[5][3] Her current term expires in 2012.[4]

Judicial career

Ninth Circuit

Justice Christen was nominated on May 18, 2011, to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by President Barack Obama. She was nominated to a seat left vacant by the retirement of former judge Andrew Kleinfeld.[6] Obama commented on the nomination, stating, "I am proud to nominate this outstanding candidate to serve on the United States Court of Appeals. I am confident Justice Morgan Christen will serve the American people with integrity and distinction."[7]

She was unanimously rated "Unanimously Well Qualified" by the American Bar Association. She had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary committee on July 13, 2011 and you can find her Committee Questionnaire Available Here and her Questions for the Record Available Here.[8] Christen's nomination was hotly contested due to her role as a former board member of Planned Parenthood. However, her nomination was supported by both Senators from Alaska. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski told the press, “Over the course of a decade on the bench she has a track record of impartial, intelligent and fair judgments that demonstrate respect for the rule of law and the role of the judiciary in our democratic system. She is a valuable asset to the Alaska legal community and I will support her wholeheartedly through the confirmation process.”[9]

On December 15, 2011, the United State's Senate confirmed Morgan Christen to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with a vote of 95-3.[10]

Awards and Associations

Awards

  • Light of Hope Award
  • American Jurisprudence Award, Evidence
  • American Jurisprudence Award, Constitutional Law
  • Athena Society Award, Chamber of Commerce
  • Community Outreach Award, Alaska Supreme Court, 2008
  • Philanthropist of the Year, 2004[4]

Associations

  • Member, Anchorage Downtown Rotary, 1992-Present
  • Board Member, Alaska Community Foundation, 2005-Present
  • Board Member, Rasmuson Foundation, 2004-Present
  • Former Board Member, United Way of Anchorage
  • Former Board Member, Big Brothers, Big Sisters
  • Former Big Sister, Big Brothers, Big Sisters
  • Former Member, Anchorage Association of Women Attorneys
  • Former Board Member, Planned Parenthood [11][4]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Law.com, "Senate Confirms Obama Nominee to Ninth Circuit," December 15, 2011
  2. ↑ MetNews, "U.S. Senate Confirms Morgan Christen to Ninth Circuit Seat," December 16, 2011
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Alaska Court System Supreme Court Justices
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Justice Christen's Judicial application 2009
  5. ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "Palin bucks pressure in Supreme Court appointment", March 4, 2009
  6. ↑ White House Press Release "Nominations Sent to the Senate," May 18, 2011
  7. ↑ White House Press Release "President Obama Nominates Justice Morgan Christen for the United States Court of Appeals," May 18, 2011
  8. ↑ 112th Congress Nomination Materials
  9. ↑ LifeNews.com, "Obama Makes Ex-Planned Parenthood Board Member Appeals Judge" 12/19/2011
  10. ↑ 112th Congress confirmations
  11. ↑ KTUU "Judge removes self from case after conflict of interest allegation", May 13, 2010
Federal judicial offices
Preceded by:
Andrew Kleinfeld 		Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
2011–Present 		Succeeded by:
NA



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