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Merchant, Orelia Eleta

Born 1971 in Bronx, NY

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Nominated by Joseph R. Biden on January 23, 2023, to a seat vacated by William Francis Kuntz II. Confirmed by the Senate on May 3, 2023, and received commission on May 12, 2023.

Education:
Dillard University, B.S., 1992
College of William and Mary, M.A., 1995
Tulane University Law School, J.D., 1998

Professional Career:

Assistant regional counsel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, Illinois, 1998-2000, 2001-2002
Special assistant U.S. attorney, Eastern District of Louisiana, 2000-2001
Assistant U.S. attorney, Eastern District of New York, 2002-2019; Civil Division, 2002-2016; executive assistant U.S. attorney, 2016-2019
Chief deputy attorney general for state counsel, State of New York, 2019-2023

Other Nominations/Recess Appointments:

Nominated to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, September 6, 2022; no Senate vote