Cindy Kyounga Chung

Cindy Kyounga Chung is an American jurist who serves as a United States circuit judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Appointed by President Joseph R. Biden in 2023, she previously held the position of United States attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania from late 2021 until early 2023. Her career spans experience as a federal prosecutor, a state assistant district attorney, and a civil‑rights trial attorney, making her the first Asian‑American to sit on the Third Circuit.

Early life and legal career

Cindy Kyounga Chung was born in 1975 in Omaha, Nebraska, into a Korean‑American family. She pursued undergraduate studies at Yale University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997. Following her time at Yale, she attended Columbia Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2002.

After law school, Chung began her legal career with a clerkship for Judge Myron H. Thompson of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, serving from 2002 to 2003. The clerkship provided early exposure to federal judicial processes and case management.

In 2003 she entered public service as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan’s Office of the District Attorney. Over a four‑year period she handled prosecutorial duties before moving into a specialized role within the office’s Official Corruption Unit, where she served as investigation counsel from 2007 to 2009. During this time she was involved in high‑profile prosecutions, including the 2007 case against rapper Foxy Brown for violating probation after an assault incident, and the 2011 prosecution of Frankie Maybee and Sean Popejoy, who became the first defendants sentenced under the Shepherd‑Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Chung’s federal experience began in 2009 when she joined the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division as a trial attorney. For five years she worked on civil‑rights matters, representing the government in cases that sought to enforce anti‑discrimination statutes and protect individual liberties. In 2014 she transitioned to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where she served as an assistant United States attorney. Her responsibilities grew over time, culminating in her role as deputy chief of the Major Crimes Division, a position that involved overseeing complex criminal prosecutions and managing a team of attorneys.

The breadth of Chung’s early career reflects a consistent focus on public service and criminal law, with experience ranging from local prosecution to federal civil‑rights enforcement. This foundation prepared her for subsequent leadership roles within the Department of Justice.

Federal appellate service

President Joe Biden nominated Chung on July 12 2022 to fill a vacancy on the Third Circuit created when Judge D. Brooks Smith assumed senior status in December 2021. The nomination was evaluated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, which rated her “well qualified,” indicating strong professional competence and integrity.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on September 7 2022. During the questioning, Senator Chuck Grassley asked about Chung’s judicial philosophy, prompting a broader discussion among Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Mazie Hirono, and Mike Lee concerning the meaning of “originalism.” The committee reported her nomination favorably on September 28 2022 with a 12–10 vote. After an initial return of the nomination under Senate procedural rules on January 3 2023, President Biden renominated her the same day. The committee again reported the nomination favorably on February 2 2023, this time by an 11–9 vote.

The full Senate considered cloture on Chung’s nomination on February 7 2023, and cloture was invoked on February 9 2023 by a vote of 52–46. The confirmation vote took place on February 13 2023, resulting in a 50–44 approval. She received her commission on February 21 2023 and officially entered active service as a circuit judge for the Third Circuit.

Chung’s appointment carries historical significance: she is the first Asian‑American to serve on this appellate court. Her confirmation added to the demographic diversity of the federal judiciary, reflecting broader efforts to ensure that the bench more closely mirrors the population it serves.

Since joining the Third Circuit, Judge Chung has participated in panels reviewing appeals from district courts within Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands. While her tenure on the appellate bench is relatively recent, she has contributed to decisions involving federal statutory interpretation, criminal procedure, and civil rights issues, drawing upon her extensive prosecutorial background.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Judge Chung’s jurisprudential outlook was a subject of inquiry during her Senate confirmation hearing, where questions about originalism highlighted the ongoing debate over interpretive methodologies among federal judges. Although she did not provide an exhaustive articulation of a particular judicial philosophy, the discussion underscored her awareness of competing approaches to constitutional and statutory interpretation.

Her prior work in civil‑rights litigation and major criminal prosecutions suggests a practical understanding of both governmental authority and individual protections. This experience informs her appellate analysis, particularly in cases that balance law enforcement interests with constitutional safeguards. While specific opinions authored by Judge Chung are still emerging, observers note that her background equips her to navigate complex issues at the intersection of federal criminal law and civil liberties.

Beyond casework, Judge Chung’s presence on the Third Circuit contributes to a broader legacy of increasing representation within the federal judiciary. As the first Asian‑American judge on this court, she serves as a visible role model for aspiring lawyers from underrepresented communities. Her career trajectory—from clerkship through state and federal prosecution to the appellate bench—exemplifies pathways available to diverse candidates seeking high judicial office.

In addition to her professional achievements, Chung’s personal background as a Korean‑American born in the Midwest adds to the cultural mosaic of the judiciary. While the court’s decisions are grounded in legal analysis rather than personal identity, the inclusion of judges with varied life experiences can enrich deliberations and enhance public confidence in an impartial yet relatable judicial system.

Looking forward, Judge Chung is positioned to influence the development of federal law within the Third Circuit’s jurisdiction for many years. Her contributions will be measured not only by the opinions she authors but also by her participation in en banc reviews, mentorship of younger attorneys, and engagement with the legal community at large. As the appellate court continues to address evolving legal challenges—ranging from technology‑related disputes to emerging civil‑rights concerns—her blend of prosecutorial rigor and civil‑rights insight is likely to shape the court’s approach to complex jurisprudential questions.

In sum, Cindy Kyounga Chung’s career reflects a sustained commitment to public service across multiple levels of government. Her appointment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit marks both a personal milestone and an institutional step toward greater diversity on the federal bench. As she builds her judicial record, her influence will be observed through the lens of her legal reasoning, her adherence to precedent, and her role in expanding representation within America’s highest courts.