‘Trailblazer’ Va. Supreme Court Justice Nominated to 4th Circuit
Virginia Supreme Court Justice Barbara Milano Keenan has been nominated to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in Richmond, Va.
Keenan, who served on the Virginia Supreme Court since 1991, has been “a trailblazer for women in the law throughout her career,” the Washington Post reports. In Virginia, she was the first female general district court judge in 1980, the first female circuit court judge in 1982, and the first female on the newly created Virginia Court of Appeals in 1985.
Keenan is President Obama’s second nominee to the 4th Circuit. His first, U.S. District Judge Andre Davis of Maryland, is awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
The 4th Circuit has five vacancies. The latest occurred when Chief Judge Karen Williams retired due to the early onset of Alzheimer’s.
The Virginian-Pilot also noted the nomination.
