Blumenthal & Murphy Applaud Nomination of Sarah Merriam 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 Sarah Merriam 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. 

“Judge Merriam has demonstrated deep legal insight, unflinching fairness and fidelity to justice,” said Blumenthal. “She’s a great listener—taking seriously every legal claim, and following the facts and law with care and intellect. She will bring to the appellate court an unstinting commitment to the rule of law at a time when its importance is paramount. Her values emphasize equity, and equal opportunity. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I look forward to championing her nomination, which I expect to receive the same bipartisan support as did her confirmation to the U.S. District Court.”

“Judge Merriam is one of Connecticut's brightest legal minds. As her friend, I’m thrilled President Biden has nominated her to serve on the Second Circuit. Sarah brings a keen intellect and a passion of for justice to her work as a federal judge, and I was proud to support her confirmation to the U.S. District Court of Connecticut. Having been recently confirmed by a bipartisan majority, I expect her to win swift confirmation to the Second Circuit,” said Murphy.

In October, Judge Sarah Merriam was confirmed in a bipartisan vote to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the District of Connecticut. Prior to that, Judge Merriam served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Connecticut, an Assistant Federal Defender in the District of Connecticut from 2007 through 2015, and worked as a law clerk to Judge Thomas Meskill of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to Judge Alvin Thompson of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Judge Merriam attended Georgetown University for her undergraduate degree, and began her legal education at the University of Connecticut School of Law before transferring to Yale Law School, from which she received her Juris Doctor in 2000. 

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