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Talking Points

Gene E. K. Pratter

Nominee to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

  • Judge Gene Pratter of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is a highly respected jurist who is widely praised by lawyers and fellow judges alike for her intellect, integrity and judicial temperament.

  • Judge Pratter has been nominated to the Third Circuit, which hears appeals from the federal district courts of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands. The Senate should give Judge Pratter a fair up-or-down vote and promptly confirm her to the Third Circuit.

    • Judge Pratter has been nominated to a seat deemed a "judicial emergency" by the nonpartisan Judicial Conference and yet her nomination has been pending since November 15, 2007.

    • The ABA has deemed Judge Pratter "Well Qualified" to serve on the Third Circuit by unanimous vote.

    • Judge Pratter enjoys the strong support of home state Senator - Arlen Specter, Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

  • Judge Pratter has a distinguished record as a practicing attorney in private practice and as a district court judge.

    • In 2004, Judge Pratter was unanimously confirmed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where she sits today.

      • Judge Pratter has earned praise for her handling of a number of complex civil and criminal cases.

      • She is widely respected by her colleagues and those who practice before her as a thoughtful and fair judge.

    • Prior to becoming a judge, Judge Pratter was a partner at Duane Morris LLP, one of the premiere law firms in Pennsylvania.

      • As the firm's general counsel, Judge Pratter was responsible for professional responsibility and liability matters for over 500 lawyers in 22 offices worldwide.

      • Considered an expert in professional responsibility, Judge Pratter represented lawyers and other professionals in litigation, alternate dispute resolution and transactional negotiations.

      • Judge Pratter successfully argued cases in state and federal court, including the court to which she is nominated - the Third Circuit.

  • Judge Pratter has impeccable academic credentials and professional training.

    • She attended Stanford University and graduated with honors in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

    • In 1975, Judge Pratter received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

  • Judge Pratter has been an active member of the community in both legal and non-legal capacities.

    • She has written extensively on professional responsibility and legal ethics and is a frequent speaker at bar and other professional association gatherings.

    • She served as the co-chair of the American Bar Association Litigation Section's Committee on Ethics and Professionalism and is currently on the Professional Responsibility Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

    • Judge Pratter has performed pro bono work for several Philadelphia charter schools and represented children in connection with custody disputes, child abuse cases, and other legal proceedings.



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