Cheryl Ann Krause

Cheryl Ann Krause (born 1968) is a United States circuit judge serving on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed in 2014, she has combined an extensive background in private practice, federal prosecution, and legal academia with her judicial duties. Krause’s career reflects experience across multiple jurisdictions, including clerkships at both appellate and Supreme Court levels, work as a white‑collar criminal defense attorney, and long‑standing involvement in public‑service initiatives in Philadelphia.

Early life and legal career

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Krause spent her formative years in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1989. Continuing her academic trajectory, she attended Stanford Law School where she earned her Juris Doctor with highest honors in 1993.

Following law school, Krause entered the federal judiciary as a clerk for Judge Alex Kozinski of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1993‑1994). She subsequently served as a clerk for Justice Anthony Kennedy of the Supreme Court of the United States during the 1994‑1995 term. These early experiences provided her with insight into appellate and constitutional adjudication at the highest levels.

Krause’s professional path after her clerkships combined academic, governmental, and private‑sector roles. In 1995–1996 she held a position as lecturer and visiting scholar at Stanford Law School while also working as a law clerk at Heller Ehrman in San Francisco. She then moved to New York City, joining the prestigious firm Davis Polk & Wardwell as an associate from 1996 to 1997.

From 1997 to 2002 Krause served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where she represented the federal government in a variety of criminal matters. After leaving public service, she returned to Philadelphia in 2003 and became a shareholder at Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin. In 2006 she transitioned to Dechert LLP, attaining partnership status and focusing on white‑collar criminal defense and government investigations.

Parallel to her practice, Krause maintained an active role in legal education. Beginning in 2003, she regularly taught courses at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She founded an appellate litigation externship program that gives law students practical experience working on appeals before federal courts. In 2011 she initiated the Philadelphia Project, a collaborative effort between Dechert and The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia aimed at improving educational outcomes for children with disabilities.

Krause’s civic engagement extends beyond academia. Since 2007 she has acted as outside counsel to the City of Philadelphia’s Board of Ethics, providing legal advice on matters of governmental conduct. She also serves on the board of directors of the Committee of Seventy, a non‑partisan organization dedicated to promoting fair elections and ethical governance.

Federal appellate service

President Barack Obama nominated Krause to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on February 6, 2014, filling the vacancy created when Judge Dolores Sloviter assumed senior status in June 2013. The nomination was reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing on March 12, 2014. The committee reported her nomination favorably by voice vote on April 3, 2014.

The full Senate considered the nomination later that year. On June 24, 2014 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a cloture motion to end debate on Krause’s confirmation. The Senate invoked cloture on June 26, 2014 with a vote of 57–39, thereby limiting further discussion and moving toward a final vote. Krause was confirmed by the Senate on July 7, 2014 without opposition, receiving a unanimous 93‑0 vote. She received her judicial commission two days later, on July 9, 2014, and has served as an active circuit judge since that time.

In her capacity on the Third Circuit, Krause participates in panels that review appeals from district courts within Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands. Her docket includes a broad spectrum of civil and criminal matters, ranging from constitutional questions to complex commercial disputes. While specific opinions authored by Judge Krause are not detailed here, her background in appellate litigation and federal prosecution informs her approach to reviewing lower‑court rulings.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Judge Krause’s professional record reflects a blend of scholarly involvement, public‑service advocacy, and practical courtroom experience. Her early clerkships at both the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court provided foundational exposure to high‑level judicial reasoning, while her tenure as an Assistant United States Attorney contributed prosecutorial insight into federal criminal law. The transition to private practice, particularly in white‑collar defense, added perspective on corporate and regulatory matters.

Her longstanding commitment to legal education—exemplified by the appellate litigation externship she established at Penn Law—demonstrates a dedication to preparing future lawyers for appellate work. By integrating practical experience into academic curricula, Krause has helped bridge the gap between theory and practice for law students pursuing careers in litigation and public service.

The Philadelphia Project underscores her interest in leveraging legal expertise to address societal challenges beyond the courtroom. Through collaboration with nonprofit partners, the initiative seeks to enhance educational opportunities for children with disabilities, reflecting a broader view of how the legal profession can contribute to community welfare.

Krause’s role as counsel to the City of Philadelphia’s Board of Ethics and her board membership with the Committee of Seventy illustrate an ongoing engagement with issues of governmental integrity and electoral fairness. These activities align with the responsibilities of a federal judge who must remain vigilant about ethical standards within both public institutions and the judiciary itself.

Since joining the Third Circuit, Judge Krause has contributed to the development of federal appellate jurisprudence across the circuit’s jurisdiction. Her decisions are part of the collective body of law that shapes legal precedent for district courts and future appeals. While individual rulings are not enumerated here, her participation in panels ensures that a wide array of legal questions—ranging from statutory interpretation to constitutional rights—receive thorough judicial review.

Overall, Cheryl Ann Krause’s career trajectory—from distinguished academic achievements through varied legal practice, civic involvement, and ultimately federal appellate service—exemplifies the multifaceted experience often found among United States circuit judges. Her ongoing work on the Third Circuit continues to influence the interpretation and application of federal law within a region that encompasses significant commercial, industrial, and urban centers.