Morgan Christen

Morgan Brenda Christen (born December 5, 1961) is a Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Christen previously served on the Alaska Supreme Court having been appointed on March 4, 2009 by Governor Sarah Palin to replace outgoing justice Warren Matthews. The United States Senate confirmed Christen on December 15, 2011 in a 95–3 vote. She received her commission on January 11, 2012.

Christen was born in Chehalis, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 and the Golden Gate University School of Law with a J.D. in 1986. She has been a resident of Anchorage, Alaska for 18 years.

Christen was one of two candidates recommended by the seven-member Alaska Judicial Council to replace Justice Warren Matthews on the Alaska Supreme Court. Christen was opposed by anti-abortion advocacy groups due to her service as a Planned Parenthood board member in the mid-1990s. Nonetheless, on March 4, 2009, Governor Sarah Palin selected Christen to fill the vacancy on the Alaska Supreme Court.

In July 2010, Christen confirmed that the Obama White House was considering her to fill the vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit created when Judge Andrew Kleinfeld assumed senior status.

On May 18, 2011, Obama nominated Christen to the vacancy on the Ninth Circuit. On September 8, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported her nomination to the Senate floor by voice vote. The Senate confirmed Christen in a 95–3 vote on December 15, 2011. She received her commission on January 11, 2012.