President Barack Obama’s nomination and the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Judge Lorna Gail Schofield to the Federal Court is an important milestone in U.S. jurisprudence. As Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Schofield’s appointment is a testament to the Obama administration’s commitment to the Filipino-American community and to have a Judiciary that reflects the nation it serves. Judge Schofield holds the distinction of being the first Filipino-American in the history of the United States to serve as a Federal Judge.
Schofield was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 22, 1956. She is a second-generation Filipino-American, the only child of a Filipina mother who immigrated to the United States after World War II. She grew up in New Haven, Indiana. She graduated from New Haven Senior High School in 1974. The year before, she was elected Governor of Hoosier Girls State, a program of the American Legion Auxiliary.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University 1977 and her Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law in 1981. Soon after, she went to work as an associate at the law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. In 1984, she was appointed as an assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where she specialized in prosecuting domestic terrorism, smuggling and tax fraud. In 1988, she went into private practice and joined the New York City law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP as an associate. In 1991, she was promoted and became the firm’s first minority partner. She specialized in complex civil litigation and white-collar criminal defense.
Schofield has been heavily involved with the American Bar Association (ABA), holding a number of leadership positions. She was the first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) to chair the ABA’s Litigation Section. The National Law Journal named her one of the nation’s 50 most influential minority lawyers.
On April 25, 2012, President Obama nominated Schofield to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 6, 2012, she testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. On July 12, 12012, the Judiciary Committee submitted her nomination to the full U.S. Senate. On December 13, 2012, the U.S. Senate confirmed her in a 91-0 vote. She received her commission – a lifetime tenure — the same day.
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NAFFAA Statement on Lorna Schofield’s Confirmation to the Federal Court
For Immediate Release
Dec. 13, 2012
Contact: Bing Cardenas Branigin, Tel. 202-302-5587
Jon Melegrito, Tel. 202-361-0296
NaFFAA Congratulates Lorna Schofield on her Confirmation as a Federal District Judge
Washington, D.C. – The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is celebrating the confirmation of Lorna Schofield as a federal district judge in the Southern District of New York. By a 91-0 vote today, the United States Senate confirmed Schofield, the first person of Filipino descent to serve in this critical court.
“Ms. Schofield’s confirmation by the Senate is a historic moment not only for our community but for the entire nation,” says NaFFAA National Chairman Ed Navarra. “Given that Asian Americans are significantly underrepresented in the federal judiciary, Ms. Shofield’s addition will greatly enhance the judiciary’s diversity.”
President Obama and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York nominated Judge Schofield in April this year. “Their laudable action is a demonstration of their continued commitment to nominate well-qualified and diverse candidates to the federal bench,” adds Rozita Lee, former NaFFAA national vice chair and a member of the White House Commission on Asian Pacific American Islanders. “We are elated with her confirmation and our community is very proud to see a Filipino American achieve this honor and distinction.”
Adds Gloria T. Caoile, a former White House commissioner: “We need more role models like Judge Schofield to inspire our young people to aspire for public service.”
Ms. Shofield is the only child of a Filipina mother who came to the United States during the post-World War II reconstruction of the Philippines. Mother and daughter remained in the Midwest after Ms. Shofield’s father left the family when she was only three years old. She grew up in a blue collar community and received a full tuition scholarship to attend Indiana University. She earned her law degree from the New York University Law School and in 2008 was named one of the nation’s 50 most influential minority lawyers by the National Law Journal. She served as Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York for four years before joining the firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP where she is currently serving as Of Counsel.
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CAPAC Celebrates Confirmation of Lorna Schofield to the Southern District Court of New York
Dec 13, 2012
WASHINGTON—Today, the United States Senate confirmed Lorna Schofield to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15), CAPAC Chair Emeritus, released the following statements congratulating Ms. Schofield and commending the United States Senate, especially Senators Reid and Schumer for this historic confirmation:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), CAPAC Chair: “I congratulate Lorna Schofield on her well-deserved and historic confirmation as a federal district judge in the Southern District of New York. With this confirmation, Ms. Schofield is the first Filipina American to serve as an Article III judge in American history, which is no small feat. It heartens me to know that the judiciary, the branch of government dedicated to the interpretation of our most important cornerstone—the Constitution—is becoming more reflective of the dynamicism and diversity of our nation. I especially want to applaud President Obama and Senator Schumer for nominating Ms. Schofield, and Majority Leader Reid and the Senate for ensuring that our courts are more representative of the populations they faithfully serve.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15), CAPAC Chair Emeritus: “Today’s historic confirmation of Lorna Schofield to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is not only a victory for the people of New York and the nation as a whole. It is also a giant step towards a more equitable representation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on the federal bench. Ms. Schofield is the first Filipina-American to serve as a federal judge in the history of the United States. Ms. Schofield has broken many barriers throughout her career, and today’s confirmation symbolizes a judiciary that better mirrors the nation it serves. As Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I thank President Obama and Senator Schumer for their leadership on her nomination and Senator Reid for today’s confirmation. I also applaud the Obama Administration’s commitment to a highly qualified bench and the President’s unwavering commitment to diversity that truly reflects America.”
Background
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Schofield was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. She then practiced law at the New York law firm Debevoise and Plimpton for over 20 years, becoming the firm’s first partner of color in 1991. Judge Schofield was also the first Asian American to chair the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. In 2008, the National Law Journal named her one of the nation’s 50 most influential minority lawyers.
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Schofield was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. She then practiced law at the New York law firm Debevoise and Plimpton for over 20 years, becoming the firm’s first partner of color in 1991. Judge Schofield was also the first Asian American to chair the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. In 2008, the National Law Journal named her one of the nation’s 50 most influential minority lawyers.
With today’s confirmation, Judge Schofield will join Judge Kiyo Matsumoto of the Eastern District of New York as the only judges of Asian descent serving on the federal district courts of New York. While Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) make up approximately 10% of New York City’s population, only two of the over 90 active and senior Article III judges currently serving the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York are AAPI.
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.
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