Cathy Bissoon

Cathy Bissoon (born May 16, 1968) is the chief United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Previously, she was a United States magistrate judge of the same court. She was appointed a district judge by President Barack Obama and was confirmed by the United States Senate in October 2011.

Early life and education Bissoon was born on May 16, 1968, in Brooklyn, New York. Bissoon's father was from Puerto Rico and her mother from Trinidad. When Bissoon was four years old, her father was killed in a stabbing close to the family home in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. She earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1993.

Career After completing law school, Bissoon joined the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, office of Reed Smith, practicing in the firm's labor and employment group. While at Reed Smith, Bissoon took a one-year leave of absence to serve as a law clerk for Judge Gary L. Lancaster of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She joined the bench on August 1, 2008, and is the first woman of color to sit on the federal bench in Pittsburgh.

During the 111th Congress, Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey Jr. recommended Bissoon for a seat on the Western District of Pennsylvania. She received her commission on October 19, 2011.

Awards and recognition Bissoon was honored as one of five finalists for the 2010 Athena Award. The award honors female leaders in the region who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in business, who provide time and energy to improve the quality of life of others and who actively assist other women in realizing their full leadership potential.

In 2010, Bissoon also was honored by Pittsburgh Professional Women as one of their 2010 Women of Integrity. The award is given to women who have distinguished themselves as leaders who balance career and civic responsibilities, while sharing their success by mentoring others and supporting their communities.