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Bredar, James Kelleher

Born 1957 in Omaha, NE

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Nominated by Barack Obama on April 21, 2010, to a seat vacated by J. Frederick Motz. Confirmed by the Senate on December 16, 2010, and received commission on December 17, 2010. Served as chief judge, 2017-2024. Assumed senior status on April 30, 2024.

Other Federal Judicial Service:
U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, 1998-2010

Education:
Harvard University, B.A., 1979
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1982

Professional Career:

Law clerk, Hon. Richard P. Matsch, U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, 1983-1984
Deputy district attorney, Fourteenth Judicial District, Colorado, 1984-1985
Assistant U.S. attorney, District of Colorado, 1985-1989
Assistant federal public defender, District of Colorado, 1989-1991, 1992
Director, London office, Vera Institute of Justice, 1991-1992
Federal public defender, District of Maryland, 1992-1998