---
title: "Sarah Ann Leilani Merriam | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sarah-ann-leilani-merriam"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Sarah Ann Leilani Merriam

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- American attorney and judge serving as a United States circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in September 2022
- Her early legal work included private practice in Hartford, CT, and service as Assistant Federal Defender for the District of Connecticut (2007–2015)
- Law clerk, Hon. Thomas J. Meskill, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2002-2003
- Law clerk, Hon. Alvin W. Thompson, U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, 2000-2002
- As a Second Circuit judge, Merriam sits on the court’s 13-judge panel, hearing appeals from New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

### Education

- Duke University School of Law — Judicial Studies — LL.M. (2018)
- Yale Law School — J.D. (2000)
- Georgetown University — B.A. (1993)

### Additional information

- 23, 2022 – present), nominated to replace Susan L. Carney
- Magistrate, District Court, D. Connecticut, 2015-present
- 28, 2022), nominated by Biden to replace Janet C. Hall
- Connecticut political director, Chris Dodd for President, 2007
- Campaign manager, Chris Murphy for Congress, 2006-2007
- Private practice, Hartford, Connecticut, 2003-2005
- She clerked for Judge Alvin W. Thompson (D. Conn.) (2000–2002) and Judge Thomas J. Meskill (2nd Cir.) (2002–2003).
- Born 1971 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Date of birth: 1971
- Recent cases include Soroban Capital Partners LP v.
- IRS and Fonden v.
- FDIC.
- Her Senate confirmation for the Second Circuit was 53–44 on Sept.
- She also held political roles, including campaign manager for Chris Murphy and political director for Chris Dodd.
- Birth place: Honolulu

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### appellate oral argument

Scope: courtwide

In federal courts of appeals, oral argument is allowed unless a three-judge panel unanimously finds one of Rule 34's specified grounds for dispensing with it; the clerk provides the date, time, place, and time allocation.

Evidence excerpt: Oral argument must be allowed in every case unless a panel of three judges who have examined the briefs and record unanimously agrees that oral argument is unnecessary

[Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/10826741)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/10826741)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/10826741)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9129/sarah-al-merriam/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9129/sarah-al-merriam/)
- [Judge Sarah Ann Leilani Merriam](https://www.fjc.gov/node/10826741)
- [Wikidata: Sarah A. L. Merriam](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107250324)

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