The U.S. Senate last week confirmed U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge Lydia Griggsby to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Maryland.
Judge Griggsby, who was confirmed by a 59-39 vote and lives in Silver Spring, will be the first Black woman and first woman of color to serve as a federal district court judge in Maryland.
“Today is a proud day for our state. The Senate’s confirmation of Judge Lydia Griggsby to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland will help deliver fair, just, and equal treatment under the law to Marylanders,” Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) said in a joint press release. “Judge Griggsby has spent over 20 years in public service, bringing an enormous amount of experience to the bench. We are confident that she will faithfully follow the law and serve Marylanders with excellence. We also are proud that Judge Griggsby – a lifelong Marylander – will make history when she becomes the first Black woman and first woman of color to serve on our federal court as a U.S. District Judge for Maryland. We look forward to her continued service to those seeking justice for many years to come.”
According to the release, Judge Griggsby “was nominated to fill the vacancy created when Judge Catherine Blake, appointed by President Clinton in 1995, announced her intention to take senior status on April 2, 2021. Senators Van Hollen and Cardin recommended Judge Griggsby’s nomination to President Biden, who nominated her on March 30, 2021. The Senate Judiciary Committee held her confirmation hearing on May 12, 2021, and favorably reported her nomination to the full Senate on June 10, 2021.”
Photo: U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee/Twitter
Good news! The Senate just confirmed Judge Lydia Griggsby to serve on MD’s US District Court. Judge Griggsby is the first Black woman to serve as a district court judge in MD & has spent 20+ yrs in public service. Her commitment to justice for all is what we need in our courts.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) June 16, 2021