The Honorable Arenda L. Wright Allen has served as Federal District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia since May 2011.

A native of Philadelphia, PA, Judge Allen graduated from Kutztown State College and received her law degree from a HBCU, North Carolina Central University School of Law. In 1985 she began her career serving as a Judge Advocate Officer in the United States Navy and the Naval Reserve, a role she held for 20 years. She retired at the rank of Commander in 2005.

In 1990 the Judge began serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Virginia. In 1991, she transferred to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and she served this Office for fourteen years. She joined the Federal Public Defender’s Office in 2005, serving as Supervisory Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Eastern District.

President Barack Obama nominated her for a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in late 2010, and again in early 2011. The United States Senate Judiciary Committee gave her an outstanding evaluation, noting her profound integrity and professionalism, and commending her for her “respectful demeanor” and “her fairness in handling matters.” The Committee concluded by giving her its highest recommendation.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner recommended her to the full United States Senate by citing her impressive record as a federal prosecutor and a federal public defender. He emphasized her “exceptional qualities” that distinguished her from the many other excellent candidates whom he and Senator Jim Webb had interviewed. The United States Senate – acting with rare but well-deserved unanimity – confirmed her nomination on May 11, 2011 in a resounding 96-0 vote. Judge Allen is proud to serve as the first Black woman on the federal Bench in Virginia.

In 2012, Judge Allen was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Kutztown State College. In May 2021, Judge Allen was one of three finalists recommended by Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to fill the vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit following Judge Barbara M. Keenan’s decision to take senior status. She did not get the position and hopes to continue serving in the Eastern District of Virginia for many more years to come.

Finally, Judge Allen is active in her community and in her church in Norfolk. She has worked with at-risk school children, has served on the boards of several civic organizations, and chairs the Outreach Program of the District, scheduling and participating in visits to the courthouse from area schools. She also travels to speak at schools, daycare centers and nursing homes.