Richard Bennett (Maryland)

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Richard Bennett
Image of Richard Bennett
United States District Court for the District of Maryland (senior status)
Tenure

2021 - Present

Years in position

4

Prior offices
United States District Court for the District of Maryland

Education

Bachelor's

University of Pennsylvania, 1969

Law

University of Maryland Law, 1973

Personal
Birthplace
Baltimore, Md.


Richard D. Bennett is an Article III federal judge on senior status with the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. He joined the court in 2003 after a nomination by President George W. Bush (R). Bennett assumed senior status on June 23, 2021.[1]

Bennett announced that he would assume senior status once his successor is confirmed.[2]

Early life and education

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Bennett graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with his bachelor's degree in 1969. Bennett served as a reservist in the United States Army Reserve from 1969 to 1975, and received his J.D. degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1973.[1]

Professional career

  • 1993-2003: Attorney, private practice
  • 1991-1993: United States Attorney, District of Maryland
  • 1981-1991: Attorney, private practice
  • 1976-1980: Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Maryland
  • 1973-1976: Attorney, private practice[3]

Military service

Bennett served in the Maryland Air National Guard from 1983 to 1997.[1]

Judicial career

District of Maryland

Bennett was nominated to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland by President George W. Bush on January 29, 2003 to a seat vacated by Frederic Smalkin. Bennett was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 9, 2003 on a Senate vote and received commission on April 10, 2003.[1][4]

Bennett assumed senior status on June 23, 2021.[2]

Noteworthy cases

Tyson settles lawsuit over chicken packaging (2010)

See also: United States District Court for the District of Maryland

In January 2010, Tyson Foods settled a case over the packaging on the company's chicken products which falsely stated that the birds were "raised without antibiotics." The lawsuit was brought by two of Tyson's rivals and joined by consumers in a class-action suit.[5]

Tyson insisted that "raised without antibiotics" was a true statement, since the chicken eggs were injected with them before the birds were born. The U.S. Department of Agriculture rejected this argument as it stripped Tyson of its ability to market its products this way.[6]

The company settled the suit for up to $5 million, with each consumer eligible for $50. They also agreed to pay $3 million in legal fees.[5]

See also

External links


Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by:
Frederic Smalkin
District of Maryland
2003–2021
Seat #6
Succeeded by:
Deborah Boardman