The United States Senate on Monday (Dec. 5) confirmed an Indiana University Maurer School of Law alumna to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
The confirmation of the Hon. Doris L. Pryor, who earned her law degree from the Law School in 2003, was historic.
“With over a decade of experience in public service, Judge Pryor is now making history as the first woman of color from Indiana to ever sit on the Seventh Circuit,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Dean Christiana Ochoa congratulated Judge Pryor on her elevation to the Seventh Circuit, which was established in 1891.
“The Maurer School of Law sends its most hearty congratulations to Judge Pryor on her confirmation to the Seventh Circuit,” Ochoa said.
“We are so proud that she will contribute to the long legacy of our alumni serving the judiciary. Judge Pryor’s achievements are particularly notable as she becomes the first woman of color from Indiana to serve on the Seventh Circuit.”
Judge Pryor had served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana since 2018. Before that role, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, and as National Security Chief for the office from 2014 to 2018.
From 2005 to 2006, Judge Pryor served as a Deputy Public Defender for the State of Arkansas Public Defender’s Commission. Judge Pryor served as a law clerk for Judge J. Leon Holmes on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 2004 to 2005 and for Chief Judge Lavenski Smith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit from 2003 to 2004.
“The example she is setting is deeply meaningful to our entire community,” Ochoa said. “We have been grateful to Judge Pryor for her active involvement with the Maurer School of Law since her graduation, which has included teaching Pre-Trial Litigation and delivering the keynote address and administering the oath of professionalism to our 2021 incoming 1L students during their orientation.”