American judge
Mariana R. Pfaelzer
In office In office Appointed by Jimmy Carter Preceded by Francis C. Whelan Succeeded by Nora Margaret Manella
Born (1926-02-04 ) February 4, 1926Los Angeles , California Died May 14, 2015(2015-05-14) (aged 89)Los Angeles , California Education University of California, Santa Barbara (AB )University of California, Los Angeles (JD )
Mariana R. Pfaelzer (February 4, 1926 – May 14, 2015) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California .
Education and career
Born to a Jewish family in Los Angeles , California in 1926,[1] Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1949 and a Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law in 1957. She was in private practice in Los Angeles from 1957 to 1978.[2]
Federal judicial service
On August 8, 1978, Pfaelzer was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the Central District of California vacated by Judge Francis C. Whelan . She was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 1978, and received her commission the next day. She was the first female federal judge appointed to the district. She assumed senior status on December 31, 1997, serving in that status until her death.[2]
Notable cases
She is noted for her role in striking down California 's Proposition 187 , which would have denied services to undocumented immigrants in California.[3] Countrywide Financial .[4]
Death and tributes
On May 14, 2015, Pfaelzer died in Los Angeles after serving on the federal bench for nearly 40 years.[5] George H. King , the Chief District Court Judge for the Central District of California, noted that she "was the epitome of what a federal judge ought to be . . . presi[ding] with brilliance, analytical rigor, practicality, wisdom, grace and courage."[6]
Personal
Pfaelzer was married to Frank Rothman, an attorney who died in 2000.[7]
