Marjorie Rendell | |
|---|---|
_(1).jpg) Rendell in 2016 | |
| Senior Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2015 | |
| First Lady of Pennsylvania | |
| In role January 21, 2003 – January 18, 2011 | |
| Governor | Ed Rendell |
| Preceded by | Katherine Schweiker |
| Succeeded by | Susan Corbett |
| Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| In office September 29, 1997 – July 1, 2015 | |
| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | William D. Hutchinson |
| Succeeded by | Stephanos Bibas |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office February 11, 1994 – November 20, 1997 | |
| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Louis Bechtle |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| First Lady ofPhiladelphia | |
| In role January 6, 1992 – January 3, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Velma Goode |
| Succeeded by | Naomi Post |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Marjorie May Osterlund (1947-12-20)December 20, 1947 (age 77) Wilmington,Delaware, U.S. |
| Spouses | |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania (BA) Villanova University (JD) |
Marjorie May "Midge"Rendell (néeOsterlund; born December 20, 1947)[1] is an American attorney and jurist serving as aSenior United States circuit judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a formerFirst Lady ofPennsylvania.[2] In 2003, she was named to thePoliticsPA list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women".[3]
Rendell was born inWilmington,Delaware.[4] Her father was employed as aDuPont executive and she attendedUrsuline Academy.[5] She received aBachelor of Arts degree,cum laude, from theUniversity of Pennsylvania in 1969 and aJuris Doctor fromVillanova University School of Law in 1973.[4]
After graduating from law school, she practiced as an attorney for 20 years as a partner at thePhiladelphia firm ofDuane, Morris & Heckscher, where she focused her practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation.[6][7] She also served as a mediator for the United States District Court.[8]
While in private practice, Rendell experienced sexism originating from both her clients and cohorts.[6] At times, she was called "honey" by her male colleagues and would hide or downplay the existence of her then young son.[6][9]
Rendell was nominated by PresidentBill Clinton on November 19, 1993, to a seat on theUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated by JudgeLouis Bechtle. She was confirmed by theUnited States Senate on February 10, 1994, and received commission on February 11, 1994.[6] Her service terminated on November 20, 1997, due to elevation to the court of appeals.[4][6]
Rendell was nominated by President Clinton on January 7, 1997, to a seat on theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated by JudgeWilliam D. Hutchinson. She was confirmed by the Senate on September 26, 1997, and received commission on September 29, 1997. She assumedsenior status on July 1, 2015.[4][10]
In 2008, Rendell served as a part of a three-judge panel that overturned theFederal Communications Commission's indecency fine againstCBS related to theSuper Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy.[11]
In 1993, Rendell founded and managed Avenue of the Arts, Inc., whose purpose was to develop Philadelphia's Broad Street into a world-class artistic venue. She currently serves as one of the members of the board of directors.[12] She is also a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.[7]
She marriedEd Rendell, a futureGovernor of Pennsylvania, in 1971. On January 21, 2003, Judge Rendell administered the oath of office to her husband after he won the gubernatorial election in November 2002. During her husband's campaigns for mayor and governor, Rendell was barred by the federal judicial ethics code from publicly campaigning on his behalf, as well as from taking part in some fundraisers. On February 7, 2011, a joint email from the couple announced that they had amicably separated.[13] They have one adult son, Jesse.[14] On September 6, 2016, Ed Rendell announced the couple had filed for amicable divorce.[15] In September 2017, Judge Rendell married Arthur Tilson, a senior judge on the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.[16][17]
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 1994–1997 | Seat abolished |
| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit 1997–2015 | Succeeded by |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Katherine Schweiker | First Lady of Pennsylvania 2003–2011 | Succeeded by Susan Corbett |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
