Susan Baxter

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Susan Baxter
Image of Susan Baxter

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Tenure

2018 - Present

Years in position

6

Prior offices
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Education

Bachelor's

Pennsylvania State University, 1978

Graduate

Temple University, 1980

Law

Temple University Law, 1983

Personal
Birthplace
Latrobe, Pa.

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Susan Paradise Baxter is a judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She was nominated by President Donald Trump (R) on December 20, 2017, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 28, 2018, by voice vote.[1]To see a full list of judges appointed by Donald Trump, click here.

The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania is one of 94 U.S. District Courts. They are the general trial courts of the United States federal courts. To learn more about the court, click here.

On July 30, 2015, President Barack Obama (D) nominated Baxter to be a Article III federal judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.[2] On January 3, 2017, Baxter's nomination was returned to President Obama at the sine die adjournment of the 114th Congress.[3]


Judicial nominations and appointments

United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

See also: Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump

Baxter was nominated to the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania by President Donald Trump (R) on December 20, 2017. The U.S. Senate confirmed Baxter on August 28, 2018, by a voice vote.[4] She received commission on September 10, 2018.[5]To read more about the federal nomination process, click here.

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Susan Baxter
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Progress
Confirmed 251 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: December 20, 2017
ApprovedAABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
DefeatedAHearing:
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: February 15, 2018 
ApprovedAConfirmed: August 28, 2018

Confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Baxter on August 28, 2018, by voice vote.[6]

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

Baxter had her hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 20, 2017. The committee voted to advance Baxter's nomination to the full Senate on February 15, 2018.[7]

Nomination

Baxter was nominated to replace Judge Sean McLaughlin, who retired in 2013.

The American Bar Association unanimously rated Baxter Well Qualified for the position.[8] To read more about ABA ratings, click here.

Early life and education

Baxter was born on September 20, 1956, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She received a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University in 1978, a master of education degree from Temple University in 1980, and a J.D. from the Temple University School of Law in 1983.[9]

Professional career

  • 2005-2009: Chief magistrate judge
  • 1994: Court solicitor, Erie County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania
  • 1983-1992: Private practice, Cole, Raywid and Braverman (now called Davis Wright Tremaine LLP) in Washington, D.C.
  • 1989-1992: Partner

Western District of Pennsylvania (2015)

Baxter was nominated to be Article III federal judge July 30, 2015, by President Barack Obama (D). On the nomination:

“ Throughout their careers, these nominees have displayed unwavering commitment to justice and integrity. Their records are distinguished and impressive, and I am confident that they will serve the American people well from the United States District Court bench. I am honored to nominate them today.[2][10] ”

The American Bar Association rated Baxter as Unanimously Well Qualified for the nomination.[11]

Baxter's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee was held December 9, 2015.[12] Her nomination was reported to the full Senate on January 28, 2016, on a voice vote.[13] On January 3, 2017, Baxter's nomination was returned to President Obama at the sine die adjournment of the 114th Congress.[3]

Noteworthy cases

A.M. v. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. (2020)

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

A.M. v. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc.: On October 1, 2020, Judge Susan Baxter, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, dismissed a claim by four student athletes who were refused entry to a golf tournament administered by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The plaintiffs alleged that, eight days before the tournament, the PIAA "arbitrarily and capriciously reduced the number of qualifiers." The students argued that "the reduction of numbers has no quantifiable relationship on the spread of Covid-19 as it relates to outdoor activities such as golf." They asked the court to order the PIAA to allow them to participate in the tournament. Baxter denied that request, writing in her opinion, "It is not the court's job to decide the better course, but to ensure the one taken was not arbitrary and capricious, or for a wrongful purpose. Although the decision was a painful one for the plaintiffs, it was done with a rational basis and passes muster under the law."[14][15]

About the court

The Counties of the Western District of Pennsylvania (click for larger map)

The Western District of Pennsylvania has original jurisdiction over cases filed within its jurisdiction. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law.

The geographic jurisdiction of the Western District of Pennsylvania consists of all the following counties in the western part of the state of Pennsylvania.

To read opinions published by this court, click here.

The federal nomination process

Federal judges are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. There are multiple steps to the process:

  • The president nominates an individual for a judicial seat.
  • The nominee fills out a questionnaire and is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing with the nominee, questioning them about things like their judicial philosophy, past rulings or opinions, etc.
  • As part of this process, the committee sends a blue slip to senators from the home state in which the judicial nomination was received, allowing them to express their approval or disapproval of the nominee.
  • After the hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to approve or return the nominee.
  • If approved, the nominee is voted on by the full Senate.
  • If the Committee votes to return the nominee to the president, the president has the opportunity to re-nominate the individual.
  • The Senate holds a vote on the candidate.
  • If the Senate confirms the nomination, the nominee receives a commission to serve a lifelong position as a federal judge.
  • If the Senate does not confirm the nomination, that nominee does not become a judge.


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The White House, "President Donald J. Trump Announces Ninth Wave of Judicial Nominees and Tenth Wave of United States Attorney Nominees," December 20, 2017
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The White House, "President Obama Nominates Seven to Serve on the United States District Courts," July 30, 2015
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 United States Congress, "PN 748 — Susan Paradise Baxter — The Judiciary," accessed January 3, 2017
  4. ↑ Congress.gov, "PN1329 — Susan Paradise Baxter — The Judiciary," accessed August 29, 2018
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Federal Judicial Center, "Baxter, Susan Paradise," accessed August 29, 2018
  6. ↑ Congress.gov "PN1329 — Susan Paradise Baxter — The Judiciary," accessed April 21, 2020.
  7. ↑ Congress.gov "PN1329 — Susan Paradise Baxter — The Judiciary," accessed April 21, 2020.
  8. ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III and Article IV judicial nominees," accessed April 20, 2020.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bio
  10. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  11. ↑ American Bar Association, "RATINGS OF ARTICLE III JUDICIAL NOMINEES, 114th Congress," accessed December 15, 2015
  12. ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Nominations," December 9, 2015
  13. ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Results of Executive Business Meeting – January 28, 2016," January 28, 2016
  14. ↑ United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, "A.M. v. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc.: Memorandum Opinion," October 1, 2020
  15. ↑ United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, "A.M. v. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc.: Exhibit B," October 1, 2020

Political offices
Preceded by
- 		United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
2018-Present		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
- 		United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
1995-2018		 Succeeded by
-


Pennsylvania courts

Federal courts:

Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania

State courts:

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Superior Court • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas • Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts

State resources:

Courts in Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania judicial elections • Judicial selection in Pennsylvania

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