Benjamin J. Cheeks

Benjamin Jerome Cheeks (born 1977) is an American lawyer who has served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California since 2025. He previously served as a United States magistrate judge of the same court from 2024 to 2025.

Early life and education

Cheeks is the son of Rosetta Cheeks and the late Jerome Leon Cheeks. He is a graduate of the Blanche Ely High School.

Career

From 2003 to 2010, Cheeks served as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. From 2010 to 2013, he served as an assistant United States attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California. From 2013 to 2024, he was a criminal defense lawyer in private practice at the Law Offices of Benjamin J. Cheeks, A.P.C. in San Diego. On July 19, 2024, he was sworn in as a United States magistrate judge of the Southern District of California. He filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Bernard Skomal.

District court service

On October 23, 2024, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Cheeks to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. On November 20, 2024, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On December 12, 2024, his nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–10 party-line vote. On December 20, 2024, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 49–47 vote. Later that day, his nomination was confirmed by a 49–47 vote. He received his judicial commission on January 9, 2025.

Personal life

Cheeks is married to Dr. Brenda Perez-Cheeks, and they have two sons.