Marjorie May "Midge" Rendell (née Osterlund; born December 20, 1947) is an American attorney and jurist serving as a Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a former First Lady of Pennsylvania. In 2003, she was named to the PoliticsPA list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women".

Early life and education

Rendell was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Her father was employed as a DuPont executive and she attended Ursuline Academy. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from the Villanova University School of Law in 1973. She also served as a mediator for the United States District Court.

While in private practice, Rendell experienced sexism originating from both her clients and cohorts.

Federal judicial service

Rendell was nominated by President Bill Clinton on November 19, 1993, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Louis Bechtle. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 10, 1994, and received commission on February 11, 1994.

Notable case

In 2008, Rendell served as a part of a three-judge panel that overturned the Federal Communications Commission's indecency fine against CBS related to the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy.

Philanthropy

In 1993, Rendell founded and managed Avenue of the Arts, Inc., whose purpose was to develop Philadelphia's Broad Street into a world-class artistic venue. She currently serves as one of the members of the board of directors. She is also a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania. They have one adult son, Jesse. On September 6, 2016, Ed Rendell announced the couple had filed for amicable divorce. In September 2017, Judge Rendell married Arthur Tilson, a senior judge on the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.

References

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