Wednesday: Judgepedia's "Federal Courts, Empty Benches" Update →Wilma Lewis
| Wilma Lewis | |
| Current Court Information: | |
| United States District Court for the U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| Title: | Judge |
| Service: | |
| Appointed by: | Barack Obama |
| Active: | 6/30/2011 - Present |
| Personal History | |
| Bachelors: | Swarthmore College, B.A., 1978 |
| Law School: | Harvard Law, J.D., 1981 |
Contents |
Wilma Lewis is a federal judge serving in a non-Article III post for the United States District Court for the U.S. Virgin Islands. She joined the court in 2011 after an appointment from President Barack Obama. Prior to appointment, Lewis was the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the United States Department of the Interior, a post she assumed in 2009. [1]
Early life and education
Lewis attended Swarthmore College and graduated with an B.A. in 1978. Lewis received a J.D. from Harvard Law in 1981.[1]
Judicial career
U.S. Virgin Islands
Lewis was nominated by President Obama on March 2, 2011 to fill a seat on the United States District Court for the U.S. Virgin Islands vacated by Raymond Finch. [1] Obama said of the nomination, “I am proud to nominate these three outstanding candidates to serve on the United States District Court bench. They all have long and distinguished records of service, and I am confident they will serve on the federal bench with distinction.” [1]
Lewis was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by the American Bar Association. She had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 24, 2011, and you can find her Committee Questionnaire Available Here and her Questions for the Record Available Here. Responding to questions from the committee chair, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Lewis stated, "I have a strong commitment to public service. I will be fair and firm. I want to hear opposing perspectives, and I will set the tone for a courtroom where all litigants will have their day in court."[2]
Lewis was confirmed on June 30, 2011, by a voice vote of the United States Senate making her the first candidate appointed in 2011 to be confirmed by the Senate.[3]
See also
External links
- Virginia Islands Daily News, "U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee interviews Lewis" 5/25/2011
- White House Press Release "President Obama Names Three to the United States District Court", March 2, 2011
