A federal appeals court extended the suspension of U.S. Circuit Judge Pauline Newman, the nation’s oldest active federal judge, for another year following concerns about her fitness to serve.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit’s Judicial Council unanimously agreed to extend the suspension, which started in September 2023, through September 2025.
The council acted after Newman refused to cooperate with investigations into her mental health, sparked by staff concerns about her cognitive abilities.
The investigation, initiated last year, focused on reports that Newman had shown signs of memory loss, confusion, and erratic behavior.
Despite Newman’s objections and ongoing legal challenges, the court found no evidence to alleviate concerns about her cognitive state. If she continues to refuse to cooperate with medical evaluations, her suspension could be extended further.
Newman, who has served on the Federal Circuit bench since 1984 after being appointed by President Ronald Reagan, has been a significant figure in patent law.
However, allegations of mental decline have overshadowed her legacy, with claims that she has mishandled staff issues and failed to manage a backlog of cases.
Newman’s legal team plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the punishment is “entirely unprecedented.”
Newman is also pursuing separate litigation in Washington, D.C., federal court, seeking to end her suspension, though that case was dismissed and is currently on appeal.
