Member Spotlight

McShane and Quiñones Join Federal Bench

June 13th, the United States Senate confirmed President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Nitza Quiñones Alejandro  to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  On the date of confirmation, The Washington Blade reported “A Puerto Rico native, Quiñones breaks a glass ceiling as the first openly LGBT Hispanic to serve on the federal bench. Additionally, she’s the seventh openly LGBT person ever to receive confirmation as a federal judge.” The Washington Blade, 06/13/2013.  Among others covering the event was the Latin Times.

Judge Michael McShane’s May 20th Senate confirmation to serve on the United States District Court of Oregon preceded that of Judge Quiñones  by almost four weeks. The Washington Blade, 05/21/2013 . 

Judge McShane formerly served as a member of the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Judge Quiñones has served as a member of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.