Jennifer Walker Elrod
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2021) |
Jennifer Walker Elrod | |
---|---|
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | |
Assumed office October 19, 2007 | |
Appointed by | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Patrick Higginbotham |
Judge of the 190th District Court of Texas | |
In office April 23, 2002 – October 4, 2007 | |
Appointed by | Rick Perry |
Preceded by | John P. Devine |
Succeeded by | Patricia J. Kerrigan |
Personal details | |
Born | Jennifer Leigh Walker September 6, 1966 Port Arthur, Texas, U.S. |
Political party | Republican[1] |
Spouse | Hal C. Elrod |
Education | Baylor University (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
Jennifer Walker Elrod (born Jennifer Leigh Walker; September 6, 1966) is an American lawyer and jurist serving as a United States circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit since 2007. She previously served as a state court judge on the 190th District Court of Texas from 2002 to 2007.
Background
Elrod was born Jennifer Leigh Walker in 1966 in Port Arthur, Texas, and grew up in Baytown, Texas.
After high school, Elrod studied
After law school, Elrod was a law clerk for Judge Sim Lake of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas from 1992 to 1994. She then entered private practice at the law firm Baker Botts.
Judicial career
State judicial service
In 2002, Governor Rick Perry appointed Elrod to be a judge on the 190th District Court in Harris County. She was elected to the judgeship in the 2002 general election, and again in 2006 when she ran unopposed. As a state district court judge, she presided over jury and bench trials involving civil litigation. Elrod remained on the Harris County bench until her confirmation to the Fifth Circuit.
Federal judicial service
President
In 2014, she upheld a Texan abortion law that required abortion doctors to get admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, thus forcing abortion facilities to comply with the expensive standards of hospital-style surgical centers.[4] The law also banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and heavily restricted the use of abortion pills.[4]
On August 16, 2023, Elrod wrote the Fifth Circuit ruling that would limit access to mifepristone (which is used for the abortion pill) in all 50 states if the Supreme Court lifts its stay.[5]
References
- ^ "2002 General Election - District Judge, 190th Judicial District". Texas Secretary of State.
- ^ "PN402 — Jennifer Walker Elrod — The Judiciary". Washington, D.C.: United States Senate. March 29, 2007.
- ^ Jennifer Walker Elrod at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- ^ a b Rosenthal, Brian M. (2014-12-30). "Judge selections bad news for abortion law opponents, mixed for gay marriage supporters". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
- ^ "Appeals court backs limits on access to abortion pill mifepristone, ruling against Biden's FDA". USA Today. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
Sources
- "Elrod, Jennifer Walker". Federal Judicial Center.
- "Advisors". Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. 24 March 2009.
- "Jennifer Walker Elrod". The Federalist Society.
External links
- Jennifer Walker Elrod at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- Harris County District Courts Online
- U.S. Department of Justice Resume for Elrod
- White House Profile of Elrod
- Lezon, Dale, "Senate confirms Harris County judge for appeals court," Houston Chronicle, October 5, 2007