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President Barack Obama announced that he has appointed Judge Patricia E. Campbell-Smith to be the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Judge Campbell-Smith would be the first African American to be chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.  Her designation as chief judge does not need Senate confirmation and takes effect immediately.

“I am proud to designate Judge Campbell-Smith to serve as chief judge on the United States Court of Federal Claims,” said President Obama.  “She has a long and distinguished record of service, and I am confident she will serve with distinction.”

Judge Patricia E. Campbell-Smith currently serves on the United States Court of Federal Claims.  Previously, she served as a Special Master with the United States Court of Federal Claims from 2005 to 2011 and as Chief Special Master from 2011 to 2013.

In that role, she presided over litigation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.  Judge Campbell-Smith also served as a career law clerk for the Honorable Emily C. Hewitt of the United States Court of Federal Claims from 1998 to 2005.

From 1993 to 1996 and again from 1997 to 1998, she worked at the law firm of Liskow & Lewis in New Orleans, where she focused on environmental regulatory law, patent infringement litigation, and toxic tort litigation.

From 1996 to 1997, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Sarah S. Vance, and from 1992 to 1993 she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Martin L.C. Feldman, both of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  Campbell-Smith received her J.D. with honors in 1992 from Tulane Law School and her B.S. with honors in 1987 from Duke University.

(Photo: AP)