Blumenthal & Murphy Applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Approval of District Court Nominee Sarah Russell

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of Sarah Russell to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The Judiciary Committee approved Russell’s nomination yesterday by a vote of 11-10. Russell’s nomination will now advance to the full Senate.

“I’m delighted that the Judiciary Committee has moved Sarah Russell’s nomination to the Senate floor, where she should be confirmed promptly,” said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Sarah Russell has been a relentless champion of justice—making legal rights real for countless people needing an advocate, and giving voice to the voiceless and most vulnerable. In both the courtroom and classroom, she has led by example. Throughout her stellar career—as a teacher, public defender, and clinic head—upholding the rule of law has been her life’s work. She has earned esteem from opposing litigants as well as allies, including prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys.” 

“I’m glad to see Sarah Russell’s nomination to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut approved by the committee. Her legal expertise, commitment to justice, and experience as a litigator make her extremely qualified for this role, and I look forward to voting for her confirmation,” said Murphy.

Blumenthal introduced Russell before her hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee in November. Video of Blumenthal’s remarks is available here.

Sarah Russell has served as a Professor at the Quinnipiac University School of Law since 2011 and as Director of the school’s Legal Clinic since 2019. Prior to her time at Quinnipiac, Russell was a Lecturer at Yale Law School and the Director of the Arthur Liman Public Interest Program. Russell also served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender from 2005 to 2007 and as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Chester J. Straub of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Honorable Michael B. Mukasey of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Russell is a widely respected member of Connecticut’s legal community, having been appointed by state and federal judges to serve on the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, the Connecticut Committee on Judicial Ethics, and the Federal Grievance Committee. Russell is also an active member of her community, serving on the board of the Hamden Juvenile Review and Connecticut Children’s Museum. Russell received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University.

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