TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jul 11, 2024

U.S. Circuit Judge Pauline Newman — who at age 97 is the oldest federal judge not to have taken senior status — continues to fight her suspension from the bench following allegations that she is no longer fit to serve. A federal judge this week dismissed a lawsuit Newman brought in an attempt to return to her seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which focuses on patents, trademarks and certain other matters. The circuit's judicial council suspended Newman last September for at least one year or until she sits for court-ordered medical examinations, based on signs of serious cognitive and physical impairment. The council also found that she refused to cooperate with inquiries into her mental health. Newman has vowed to appeal, according to Reuters.