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Benita Pearson
2010 - Present
14
Benita Y. Pearson is a U.S. district judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. She was sworn in by Senator Sherrod Brown in March 2011. After being sworn in Pearson became the first black female federal judge in Ohio.[1]
Early life and education
Pearson received her B.S. in 1985 and her J.D. in 1995 from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.[2][3]
Professional career
- 2000-2008: Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Ohio
- 1998-2000: Private Practice, Cleveland, Ohio
- 1996-1998: Law Clerk, Hon. John Manos, United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- 1995-1996: Private Practice, Cleveland, Ohio[4]
Judicial career
Northern District of Ohio
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: Benita Pearson |
| Court: Northern District of Ohio |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 383 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: December 3, 2009
|
| ABA Rating: Substantial Majority Well Qualified, Minority Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: January 20, 2010
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: February 11, 2010
|
| Confirmed: December 21, 2010
|
| Vote: 56-39
|
President Obama nominated Pearson to fill an Article III federal vacancy on the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. She was recommended to Obama by Senators Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich. Senator Brown said of the nomination: "I applaud President Obama for choosing Judge Pearson. Throughout her career as a prosecutor, private practice attorney, certified public accountant, and magistrate, Judge Pearson served with honor and distinction. I wish her continued success as a federal district judge."[5]
The opening on the court is due to the assumption of senior status by Peter Economus.[2]
Pearson's nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 21, 2010. She is the first black woman to receive a seat in any of the Ohio Federal Districts.[6][7]
Pearson received a rating from the substantial majority of Well Qualified and a minority rating of Qualified from the American Bar Association.[8]
Judiciary Committee hearing
Pearson had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 20, 2010.[9] Pearson was reported by committee on February 11, 2010.[8]
Magistrate judge Northern District of Ohio
Pearson was a federal magistrate judge for the Northern District of Ohio from 2008 until the time of her confirmation as a federal judge.
Congressional oath of office
On January 3, 2013, Pearson administered a ceremonial oath of office to the Congressional Black Caucus at the beginning of the new term.[10]
See also
External links
- Listing on the Northern District of Ohio website
- Judge Pearson's Biography from Federal Judicial Center
Footnotes
- ↑ Vindy.com "Pearson sworn in as judge" March 26, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 White House Press Release "President Obama Nominates Nancy Freudenthal, Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. and Judge Benita Pearson to Serve on the District Court Bench," December 4, 2009
- ↑ Judge Pearson's Biography from Federal Judicial Center.
- ↑ Biography at the Federal Judicial Center
- ↑ Vindy.com "President accepts Pearson nomination to Youngstown federal court," December 4, 2009
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Cleveland woman confirmed by U.S. Senate to federal bench in Youngstown," December 22, 2010
- ↑ Cleveland Plain Dealer "Federal magistrate judge Benita Pearson recommended for U.S. District Court seat" July 22, 2009
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Judicial Nomination Materials (dead link)
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee hearing notice
- ↑ United States Courts, Press Release: "Federal Judges Help Swear In Members of Congress," March 1, 2013
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio 2010-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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