Gottschall, Joan B. Born 1947 in Oak Ridge, TN Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois Nominated by William J. Clinton on March 29, 1996, to a seat vacated by James Byron Moran. Confirmed by the Senate on July 25, 1996, and received commission on August 1, 1996. Assumed senior status on April 23, 2012. U.S. Magistrate, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1984-1996 Education: Smith College, B.A., 1969 Stanford Law School, J.D., 1973 Professional Career: Private practice, Chicago, Illinois, 1973-1976, 1978-1982 Staff attorney, Federal Defender Program, Chicago, Illinois, 1976-1978 Staff attorney, Legal Office, University of Chicago, 1982-1984