Garland, Merrick B. Born 1952 in Chicago, IL Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 7, 1997, to a seat vacated by Abner Joseph Mikva. Confirmed by the Senate on March 19, 1997, and received commission on March 20, 1997. Served as chief judge, 2013-present. Education: Harvard College, A.B., 1974 Harvard Law School, J.D., 1977 Professional Career: Law clerk, Hon. Henry J. Friendly, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1977-1978 Law clerk, Hon. William J. Brennan, Jr., Supreme Court of the United States, 1978-1979 Special assistant attorney general, U.S. Department of Justice, 1979-1981 Private practice, Washington, D.C., 1981-1989, 1992-1993 Assistant U.S. attorney, District of Columbia, 1989-1992 Deputy assistant attorney general, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1993-1994 Principal associate deputy attorney general, U.S. Department of Justice, 1994-1997