Born 1961 in Havana, Cuba

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Nominated by William J. Clinton on March 15, 1999, to a seat vacated by Lenore Carrero Nesbitt. Confirmed by the Senate on September 8, 1999, and received commission on September 9, 1999. Service terminated on February 24, 2012, due to appointment to another judicial position.

Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Nominated by Barack Obama on August 2, 2011, to a seat vacated by Susan Harrell Black. Confirmed by the Senate on February 15, 2012, and received commission on February 17, 2012.

Education:
University of Miami, B.A., 1984
University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1987

Professional Career:

Law clerk, Hon. Thomas Clark, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 1987-1988
Law clerk, Hon. Sandra Day O'Connor, Supreme Court of the United States, 1988-1989
Private practice, Miami, Florida, 1989-1994
Adjunct professor, University of Miami School of Law, 1990-
Assistant U.S. attorney, Southern District of Florida, 1994-1999; deputy chief, Appellate Division, 1996-1998; chief, Appellate Division, 1998-1999