U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Hall has extensive experience litigating in Delaware federal court and is now poised to join it with a lifetime appointment.

Background

Jennifer L. Hall received a B.S. from the University of Minnesota in 1997, her M. Phil. from Yale University in 2000, her Ph.D. from Yale University in 2003, and her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 2006. After graduating, Hall clerked for Judge Sharon Prost on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and then for Judge Kent Jordan on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Hall subsequently joined Fish & Richardson, where she spent three years as an Associate before becoming a federal prosecutor in Delaware. She subsequently became Chief of the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2015.

In 2019, Hall became a U.S. Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, where she currently serves.

History of the Seat

Hall has been nominated for a vacancy that will open by Judge Richard Andrews’ move to senior status on December 31, 2023.

Legal Experience

After her clerkships, Hall started her legal career at the firm of Fish & Richardson where she represented plaintiffs in a patent infringement suit over a generic version of the pain drug Amrix, which concluded in a bench trial before Judge Sue L. Robinson. See In re Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride, 794 F. Supp. 2d 517 (D. Del. 2011).

From 2011 to 2019, Hall worked as an AUSA in Delaware, handling both affirmative civil cases (brought by the government) and defensive ones. Compare United States v. Energy Solutions, Inc., 265 F. Supp. 3d 415 (D. Del. 2017) with LKQ Corp. v. U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Security, 369 F. Supp. 3d 577 (D. Del. 2019). Among her larger cases, Hall was lead counsel in challenging the acquisition of Andrews County Holding, Inc. by the defendants, arguing that the acquisition would significantly affect competition for disposal of low-level radioactive waste. United States v. Energy Solutions, Inc., 265 F. Supp. 3d 415 (D. Del. 2017). In 2017, U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson enjoined the merger as a violation of the Clayton Act. See id. at 446.

Hall also handled some criminal cases, including arguing appeals before the Third Circuit. See, e.g., United States v. Boney, 769 F.3d 153 (3d Cir. 2014).

Judicial Experience

Since 2019, Hall has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge, presiding over discovery issues, pretrial release, administrative cases, and cases with the consent of the parties.

Among her notable decisions, Hall conducted a bench trial in response to an Eighth Amendment claim brought by Christopher West, an incarcerated individual, who alleged that he was deprived of a mattress. See West v. Emig, C.A. No. 13-2103-JLH (D. Del. Oct. 24, 2022) (Memorandum Opinion). Hall made a factual finding that West had been deprived of a mattress for a period of one month, but noted that the deprivation was based on a legitimate penological interest, as West had developed a habit of ripping over mattresses and swallowing the filling. See id. As a conclusion, Hall found both that West had not established an Eighth Amendment violation and that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity. See id.

Among the reports and recommendations she authored, Hall recommended the denial of a motion to dismiss racial and religious discrimination claims brought by a black muslim firefighter, while recommending the granting of contractual discrimination and hostile work environment claims, noting that the complaint failed to allege facts supporting those claims. See Ferrell v. City of Wilmington, C.A. No. 21-1593-RGA (D. Del. Feb. 1, 2023).

Overall Assessment

Like fellow Delaware nominees Leonard Stark, Gregory Williams, and Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, Hall has an unimpeachable resume for her position and little in her background that should cause controversy. She should be confirmed well in advance of Andrews’ move to senior status.

A fixture of the Delaware legal community, Fox Rothschild partner Gregory Williams is poised for a smooth confirmation to the Delaware federal bench.

Background

Gregory Brian Williams attended the Millersville University of Pennsylvania, getting his B.A. and B.Sc. in 1990. After graduating, Williams served in the Army Reserve until 1992, when he attended and got a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1995.

Williams subsequently joined the Wilmington, Delaware office of Fox Rothschild LLP, becoming a Partner in 2003. Williams is still with the firm.

History of the Seat

Williams has been nominated for a vacancy opened by Judge Leonard Stark’s elevation to the U.S. Court of Appeals on the Federal Circuit. Williams was recommended for the seat by Delaware Senators Carper and Coons.

Legal Experience

Williams has spent his entire legal career at the firm of Fox Rothschild, where he focused primarily on intellectual property and commercial law. Among his notable cases at the firm, Williams represented the pharmaceutical company Ethypharm SA France in an antitrust suit against Abbott Laboratories. See Ethypharm SA France v. Abbott Labs., 271 F.R.D. 82 (D. Del. 2010). He was also lead counsel in defending Intervet, Inc. against an infringement suit for porcine circovirus vaccines. See Wyeth LLC v. Intervet, Inc., 771 F. Supp. 2d 334 (D. Del. 2011). Outside of Delaware, Williams defended Megabus in a D.C. suit for racial discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and assault. See Davis v. Megabus Northeast LLC., 301 F.Supp.3d 105 (D.D.C. 2018).

Williams has also handled appellate matters, including arguing before the Delaware Supreme Court in an eminent domain case involving the Delaware Department of Transportation. See Lawson v. State, 72 A.3d 84 (Del. 2013).

Writings and Statements

Outside of his role at Fox Rothschild, Williams has been active in the Delaware legal community, including serving as President of the Delaware State Bar Association and as Chair of the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission. In his various capacities, Williams has sometimes spoken and written on the law. For example, in 1999, Williams was interviewed as part of an article discussing the effect of Y2K. See The Millenium Bug, Journal of Business Strategy (1998). He also spoke in favor of electronic filing in Delaware federal courts. See Sean O’Sullivan, U.S. District Court Starts Electronic Filing; Legal Documents Will Be Available on Web, The News Journal, Mar. 6, 2005.

Overall Assessment

While many of Biden’s judicial nominees have attracted strong GOP opposition, Williams is likely to face a relatively uncontroversial confirmation. With a background in commercial and patent litigation, and a paucity of controversial statements, Williams should expect a confirmation within the next three months.