By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2012 Journal Group Link International)

P resident Obama has sent the nomination Filipino-American Lorna G. Schofield of New York to the United States Senate for confirmation as a federal judge in the Southern District of Court of New York in place of retiring Judge Shira A. Sheindlin.

Attorney Schoefield, if confirmed, will become the first American of Filipino descent ever to serve on the federal bench.

A press release from the White House received by this reporter nominated Schofield along with four others, namely, Terrence G. Berg, Jesus G. Bernal, and Shelly Deckert, to different federal district courts in Eastern District of Michigan, Central District of California and Middle District of Louisiana, respectively, and Charles R. Breyer as member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

Ed Navarra, national chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) congratulated Schofield on her nomination, saying, “As a second-generation Filipino American, Ms. Schofield’s nomination and confirmation by the Senate would make her the first in the history of the United States to serve as a federal judge. Given that Asian Americans are significantly underrepresented in the federal judiciary, Ms. Shofield’s addition will greatly enhance the judiciary’s diversity.”

“GREAT ADDITION TO THE BENCH”

R ozita Lee, NaFFAA National Vice Chair Emeritus, added, “We are elated with her nomination and our community is very proud to see a Filipino American achieve this honor and distinction. Given her professional background and experience, she will no doubt bring a unique perspective to the U.S. District Court.”

In recommending Lorna G. Schofield to serve “as a judge on the prestigious U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York,” Senator Charles Schumer said Schofield, 56, “would make a great addition to the bench.”

 “As a top-flight lawyer and former Assistant US Attorney, Schofield has had a distinguished legal career and would make a fantastic judge,” said Schumer. “When I select judges, I always look for three things – excellence, diversity, and moderation – and Schofield exemplifies all of these qualities. I’m pleased to recommend her to President Obama for the Southern District Bench.”


Schofield graduated from Indiana University magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and from NYU Law School, where she served as staff editor and note-and-comment editor of the NYU Law Review. Schofield then went to work at the law firm of Clearly, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. 


She then left to work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where she worked as a prosecutor on cases involving domestic terrorism, arms smuggling and tax fraud.

After four years, Schofield left to work at Debevoise & Plimpton, where she was made partner in 1991. At the firm, she worked on civil cases as well as white-collar crime. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)