Adam Abelson and Jeannette Vargas Confirmed as Federal Judges in Maryland and New York
207 federal judges have now been confirmed during Joe Biden's presidency.
The U.S. Senate today held recorded votes to confirm two individuals as Article III federal judges. With these confirmations, 207 judges nominated by President Joe Biden have now been confirmed by the Senate. With today’s action, 161 of Biden’s judicial nominees have been approved for service on federal district courts.
In a 53-43 vote, Adam B. Abelson was confirmed as a Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. He is Biden’s sixth confirmation to the 10-person court, with no additional vacancies at this time. Once commissioned, he will become the youngest judge serving on this court.
Abelson assumes the Baltimore-based seat previously held by James K. Bredar, who took senior status in April 2024. A nominee of President Barack Obama, Bredar served on this court from 2010 to 2024 and was Chief Judge from 2017 to 2024. Abelson was nominated to this seat on the federal judiciary by Biden in May 2024.
Abelson previously worked at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP in Baltimore - as an associate from 2012 to 2019 and as a partner from 2020 to 2023. Since 2023, he has been a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
In a 51-43 vote, Jeannette A. Vargas was confirmed as a Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She is Biden’s seventh confirmation to the 28-person court, with one additional vacancy where the President’s nominee is awaiting confirmation from the Senate.
Vargas assumes the Manhattan-based seat previously held by Paul G. Gardephe, who took senior status in August 2023. A nominee of President George W. Bush, Gardephe served on this court from 2008 to 2023. Vargas was nominated to this seat on the federal judiciary by Biden in March 2024.
From 2000 to 2001, Vargas worked as an associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Since 2002, she has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York - which included stints as Chief of the Tax and Bankruptcy Unit from 2010 to 2014 and as Deputy Chief of the Civil Division since 2016.