Federal Judicial Center Operational Status:
Due to a lapse in appropriations, the Federal Judicial Center (Center) has ceased all non-excepted activities until funding is restored.
The Center will post any changes in operational status on this web page. Please check back for updates.
You are here
Hermandorfer, Whitney Downs
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Nominated by Donald J. Trump on May 12, 2025, to a seat vacated by Jane Branstetter Stranch. Confirmed by the Senate on July 14, 2025, and received commission on July 17, 2025.
Education:
Princeton University, B.A., 2009
George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2015
Professional Career:
Private practice, Washington, D.C., 2015-2016, 2019-2020, 2021-2023
Law clerk, Hon. Brett M. Kavanaugh, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 2016-2017
Law clerk, Hon. Richard J. Leon, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 2017-2018
Law clerk, Hon. Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Supreme Court of the United States, 2018-2019
Law clerk, Hon. Amy Coney Barrett, Supreme Court of the United States, 2020-2021
Adjunct professor, George Washington University Law School, 2023
Office of the Attorney General and Reporter, State of Tennessee, 2023-2025; assistant solicitor general, 2023-2024; director, Strategic Litigation Unit, 2023-2025