Appointed by George W. Bush Preceded by Ferdinand Fernandez | Name Consuelo Callahan | |
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Born June 9, 1950 (age 74)
Palo Alto, California, U.S. ( 1950-06-09 ) Alma mater Stanford University
University of the Pacific |
Judge misconduct sacramento superior court illegal arrest police misconduct excessive force
Consuelo María "Connie" Callahan is a Federal Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Her chambers are located in Sacramento.
Contents
- Judge misconduct sacramento superior court illegal arrest police misconduct excessive force
- Background
- Ninth Circuit nomination and confirmation
- Awards and honors
- Possible Supreme Court nomination
- References
Background

Consuelo Marío Callahan was born June 9, 1950in Palo Alto, California. She was raised in Fremont and attended public schools in Fremont and in Los Altos. In 1972, she graduated from Stanford University with an honors degree in English. She graduated from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1975.

Consuella Callahan began her law career as the Deputy City Attorney for Stockton, California, and then became Deputy District Attorney in San Joaquin County. She focused her practice on child abuse and sexual assault cases. In 1986, she became a commissioner of the Stockton Municipal Court. In 1992, she became the first Hispanic woman to be appointed to the San Joaquin County Superior Court. In 1996, Governor Pete Wilson appointed her to serve on the Third District California Court of Appeal in Sacramento.
Ninth Circuit nomination and confirmation

On February 12, 2003, Callahan was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Her Senate confirmation hearing was on May 7, 2003. On May 22, 2003, she was confirmed by a 99-0 vote.
Awards and honors

On July 14, 2014 Judge Callahan was presented the Ninth Circuit Professionalism Award from the American Inns of Court. The award presentation occurred at the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference in Monterey, California and was presented by Dean Deanell R. Tacha of the Pepperdine University School of Law;Dean Tacha was a retired judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and current president of the American Inns of Court Foundation.
Possible Supreme Court nomination

On September 20, 2005, the New York Times named Callahan as a George W. Bush Supreme Court candidate for United States Supreme Court justice, to replace Sandra Day O'Connor. She was supported by some Democrats and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus as being more moderate than many of Bush's other appointees. On October 9, 2005 Chicago Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak reported Callahan was one of two finalists for the O'Connor seat, the other being White House Counsel Harriet Miers, whom Bush nominated. On October 27, 2005, Miers withdrew her name from consideration and again, Callahan was mentioned as a possible nominee. Bush ultimately nominated Samuel Alito to O'Connor's seat.