Julio M. Fuentes | |
|---|---|
| Senior Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| Assumed office July 18, 2016 | |
| Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| In office March 9, 2000 – July 18, 2016 | |
| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Robert Cowen |
| Succeeded by | Paul Matey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1946-02-16)February 16, 1946 (age 79) Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Education | Southern Illinois University (BA) New York University (MA) University at Buffalo Law School (JD) Rutgers University–Newark (MA) |
Julio Manuel Fuentes[1] (born February 16, 1946) is aSenior United States circuit judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Fuentes is the first Hispanic judge to serve on the Third Circuit.
Fuentes was born on February 16, 1946, inHumacao, Puerto Rico; he moved with his family from Puerto Rico to New York in 1950, according to a May 16, 2000, article in the NewarkStar-Ledger. Fuentes' family settled in theSouth Bronx area ofThe Bronx,New York and moved toNew Jersey in 1955. Fuentes grew up inToms River, New Jersey[2][3] and graduated from Toms River High School (nowToms River High School South) in 1964, where he played football and wrestled.[4][5]
Fuentes earned aBachelor of Arts degree in 1971 fromSouthern Illinois University. His time at SIU was interrupted by a stint in theUnited States Army, from 1966 through 1969.[6] After completing theUnited States Army Airborne School,Ranger School and theArmy Officer Candidate School inFort Benning,Georgia, Fuentes served with the8th Special Forces Group inFort Gulick,Panama. He was honorably discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant.[citation needed] Fuentes also earned aMaster of Arts degree in Latin American Studies fromNew York University in 1972. He then earned aJuris Doctor from theUniversity at Buffalo Law School in 1975, and anotherMaster of Arts degree in Liberal Studies fromRutgers University in 1993.[7] In 2006, he was inducted into theNational Wrestling Hall of Fame, inStillwater,Oklahoma.[8][9]
Fuentes worked as a lawyer in private practice from 1975 until 1981 and worked as a judge in the Newark Municipal Court from 1979 until 1987. He then served as a judge inNew Jersey Superior Court inEssex County from 1987 until being confirmed to the Third Circuit in 2000.[7]
Fuentes' name originally had been put forth for a District Court opening by then-SenatorRobert Torricelli of New Jersey. PresidentBill Clinton's staff interviewed Fuentes and instead opted to bring forth Fuentes' name as a nominee at the court of appeals level. Clinton nominated Fuentes to theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit seat on March 8, 1999. The United States Senate Judiciary Committee approved Fuentes' nomination on March 2, 2000, and theUnited States Senate confirmed Fuentes by a 93–0 vote on March 7, 2000.[10] Fuentes received his commission on March 9, 2000,[7] and was sworn in on May 15, 2000.[11] "I intend to honor this trust every day," Fuentes told a standing ovation as he was sworn in, according to a May 16, 2000, article in the Newark Star-Ledger.[citation needed] He assumedsenior status on July 18, 2016.[7]
During high school, Fuentes worked as a supermarket stock clerk and lifeguard, and "ha[s] vague memories of having a paper route."[12]
In 2002, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University at Buffalo School of Law.[13]
Fuentes resides inNew Jersey,[14] where he maintains chambers inNewark.[15]
| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit 2000–2016 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
