Blumenthal & Murphy Applaud Nomination of Maria Araújo Kahn to Serve on United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) applauded President Biden’s nomination of Maria Araújo Kahn to fill a vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Consisting of thirteen judges, the Second Circuit is one of thirteen appeals courts across the country and exercises appellate jurisdiction within Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. 

“Justice Kahn’s vast legal experience and history of public service makes her the perfect fit for the Second Circuit,” said Blumenthal. “From her time as a public defender representing indigent children and federal prosecutor investigating fraud, to her service across multiple levels of the state bench, she has been a steadfast advocate for justice and accountability. An immigrant to the United States and role model for other judges across Connecticut, Justice Kahn is an inspiration that represents the best of our state. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I look forward to championing and supporting her nomination.”    

“Justice Kahn is among Connecticut’s most respected jurists. Having spent the last five years on the state Supreme Court and a lifetime committed to fair and equal justice, she is eminently qualified to serve on the Second Circuit. I look forward to her confirmation,” said Murphy.

Maria Araújo Kahn has served as an Associate Justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court since November 2017. Prior to that, Justice Kahn served as a judge on both the Appellate and Superior Courts, as an Assistant United States Attorney, as a Deputy Assistant Public Defender for the State of Connecticut, and as a Staff Attorney in the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. During her time as a public defender, Justice Kahn represented indigent children in delinquency proceedings. As a Staff Attorney in the Office of Protection and Advocacy, Justice Kahn litigated civil rights cases on behalf of individuals with disabilities. As a federal prosecutor, Justice Kahn handled civil and criminal white collars investigations with a focus on health care fraud, bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and trade secrets.

Born in Angola and fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese, Justice Kahn migrated to the United States when she was ten years old, attended New York University for her undergraduate degree and completed her legal education at the Fordham University School of Law. Justice Kahn is a former law clerk for the Honorable Peter C. Dorsey of the U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Connecticut and currently serves as co-chair of the Judicial Branch’s Access to Justice Commission and the Limited English Proficiency Committee. Justice Kahn has also taught several courses at the Connecticut Judges’ Institute and is a James W. Cooper Fellow with the Connecticut Bar Foundation.

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