Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement following the confirmation of Judge Dena Coggins to serve in the Eastern District of California. Judge Coggins is Senator Butler’s first judicial nominee to be confirmed to the federal bench.
“Judge Dena Coggins is exactly the kind of jurist we need in the Eastern District, and I am so glad to see the Senate vote to confirm her. A Sacramento native and resident, her first-hand knowledge of the community she will serve will make her an effective jurist in the Eastern District,” said Senator Butler. “She is a highly-qualified nominee with a proven track record as a Juvenile Court Judge and impressive courtroom experience as an attorney, Administrative Law Judge, and State Court Judge. Judge Coggins is one of California’s most reputable young jurists and I congratulate my colleagues in the Senate on this important vote.”
“Judge Coggins has proven herself to be an honorable, dedicated judge during her time on the Superior Court in Sacramento County,” said Senator Padilla. “She knows firsthand the role that the judicial system takes in shaping our communities, having supported victims of crime through the California Victim Compensation Board and compassionately represented individuals in cases including asylum and family law. As we mark the milestone of 200 judges confirmed under President Biden, I will continue working with my colleagues to nominate principled judges like Judge Coggins, who I am certain will continue to serve Sacramento and the Eastern District with dignity.”
About Judge Dena Coggins:
Judge Dena Coggins has been the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, since 2023 and a Superior Court judge since 2021. Judge Coggins was previously an Administrative Law Judge with the State of California’s Office of Administrative Hearings, in the General Jurisdiction Division from 2018 to 2021 and the Special Education Division from 2015 to 2017. Between her positions as an Administrative Law Judge, Judge Coggins served as a supervising attorney and hearing officer at the State of California Victim Compensation Board from 2017 to 2018. From 2013 to 2015 she served as a Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary for the Governor of California. Prior to her state government service, Judge Coggins worked as an associate at Downey Brand L.L.P. from 2012 to 2013 and at Morrison & Foerster L.L.P. from 2007 to 2012. Judge Coggins received her J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2006 and her B.S. from California State University, Sacramento in 2003.
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