Sarah Vance (Louisiana)

Sarah Vance

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (senior status)

Tenure

2024 - Present

Years in position

0

Prior offices

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Predecessor: Henry Mentz

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Education

Bachelor's

Louisiana State University, 1971

Law

Tulane Law School, 1978

Personal

Birthplace

Donaldsonville, La.

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Sarah S. Vance is a federal judge on senior status with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She joined the court in 1994 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. Vance served as chief judge of the district court from 2008 to 2015. Vance assumed senior status on January 16, 2024.

Early life and education

Born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Vance graduated from Louisiana State University with her bachelor's degree in 1971 and later obtained her J.D. from Tulane Law School in 1978.

Professional career

• 1994-2024: Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • 2024-present: Senior judge
  • 1978-1994: Private practice

Judicial career

Eastern District of Louisiana

On the recommendation of Louisiana U.S. Senators John Breaux and Bennett Johnston, Vance was nominated to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana by President Bill Clinton on June 8, 1994, to a seat vacated by Henry Mentz. Vance was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 28, 1994 and received commission on September 29, 1994. She began serving as chief judge for the court in 2008.

Noteworthy cases

Road home thief case (2009)

See also: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (USA v. Dowl, 2:08-cr-00164-SSV-SS)

Judge Vance presided in the case of Barbara Simmons Dowl, who was caught for her role in the collecting Road Home funds. Dowl was convicted in June of 2009 of theft, making false statements, and wire fraud. Judge Vance sentenced Dowl to nearly six years in prison on October 7, 2009, one more year than the federal sentencing minimum, citing the emotional distress of victims for the additional time.

See also

• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
• United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit

External links

• The Robing Room- Rate Judge Vance
• Judge Vance's Biography from the Federal Judicial Center

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Henry Mentz	United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana 1994-2024	Succeeded by -