Honorable Mary H. Murguia to Deliver 2022 Commencement Address

The Honorable Mary H. Murguia will deliver the commencement address to the Pepperdine Caruso Law Class of 2022 on May 20. Judge Murguia is the first Latina to serve as chief judge of a federal appellate court. She is the Ninth Circuit’s 12th chief judge and the second woman to hold the position on the court. Nominated by President William J. Clinton for a new judgeship for the U. S.  District of Arizona and confirmed in October 2000, Judge Murguia was the first Latina to serve on the District of Arizona. She served in that capacity until she was elevated to the circuit court after nomination by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate on December 22, 2010.  She was named chief judge in 2021.

A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Judge Murguia received bachelor’s degrees in both art and science from the University of Kansas in 1982, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1985. Following her graduation, she began her long career in public service as an assistant district attorney in the Wyandotte County district attorney's office.