Cynthia Ann Bashant

Cynthia Ann Bashant (born March 18, 1960) is the chief United States district judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California and former judge of the San Diego County Superior Court.

Early life and education Bashant was born in 1960 in San Francisco. She received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1982 from Smith College and a Juris Doctor in 1986 from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.

Career Bashant began her career in private practice in San Diego,

State and federal judicial service From 2000 until 2014, Bashant served as a judge of the San Diego County Superior Court, handling both criminal and juvenile matters. From 2009 to 2012, she was the presiding judge for the juvenile dependency and delinquency courts. On January 16, 2014 her nomination was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. On April 11, 2014 Senate Majority Leader Reid filed a motion to invoke cloture on the nomination. On April 29, 2014 a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination was agreed to by a 56–41 vote. On April 30, 2014 the nomination was confirmed by a 94–0 vote. She received her judicial commission on May 8, 2014.