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Bashant, Cynthia Ann
Born 1960 in San Francisco, CA
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Nominated by Barack Obama on January 6, 2014, to a seat vacated by Irma Elsa Gonzalez. Confirmed by the Senate on April 30, 2014, and received commission on May 8, 2014. Served as chief judge, 2025-present.
Education:
Smith College, A.B., 1982
University of California Hastings College of the Law (now UC College of the Law, San Francisco), J.D., 1986
Professional Career:
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Nominated by Barack Obama on January 6, 2014, to a seat vacated by Irma Elsa Gonzalez. Confirmed by the Senate on April 30, 2014, and received commission on May 8, 2014. Served as chief judge, 2025-present.
Education:
Smith College, A.B., 1982
University of California Hastings College of the Law (now UC College of the Law, San Francisco), J.D., 1986
Professional Career:
Private practice, San Diego, California, 1986-1989
Assistant U.S. attorney, Southern District of California, 1989-2000; deputy chief of narcotics, 1995-1997; chief of border crimes, 1997-1998
Judge, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, 2000-2014; presiding judge, juvenile court, 2010-2013
Nominated to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, September 19, 2013; no Senate vote