Sarah A.L. Merriam ’00 Selected as a United States Magistrate Judge

Sarah A.L. Merriam ’00, an Assistant Federal Defender, has been selected as a United States Magistrate Judge of the District Court for the District of Connecticut. She will be sworn in on April 3, 2015, and will hold court at the New Haven federal courthouse. Merriam fills the magistrate judge vacancy created by the retirement of Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons, effective April 2, 2015.

The Selection Committee received 76 applications for the judicial position following wide dissemination of the notice of vacancy. The Committee interviewed 14 applicants and identified a list of five exceptionally capable and distinguished lawyers to forward to the District Judges. In its recommendation, the Committee observed that, “Connecticut is fortunate to have a large number of highly qualified lawyers who applied for the position, with varied legal backgrounds including large, medium and small law firm practitioners, solo practitioners, and state and federal government employees.”

The selection of Merriam was made by the District Judges, according to Chief Judge Janet C. Hall. “Sarah Merriam is an exceptionally bright and talented lawyer, and we look forward with great enthusiasm to welcoming her to the ranks of judicial officers in our District,” Hall said.