Allison Jones Rushing


Allison Jones Rushing is a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Early life and career

Rushing grew up in East Flat Rock, North Carolina and graduated from East Henderson High School. She graduated summa cum laude from Wake Forest University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in music. She then earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Duke University School of Law in 2007, where she served as executive editor of the Duke Law Journal.
In 2005, Rushing was a law student intern at the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian nonprofit organization. Rushing wrote at least three amicus briefs supporting the ADF's positions, co-wrote a legal brief on religious liberties with an ADF attorney, and spoke at ADF events at least once per year from 2012 to 2017.
After graduation, Rushing clerked for then-Judge Neil Gorsuch, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, from 2007 to 2008, and Judge David B. Sentelle of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2008 to 2009.
From 2009 to 2010, Rushing was an associate at Williams & Connolly. Rushing clerked for Associate Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court of the United States during the 2010–2011 term.
In 2011, Rushing rejoined Williams & Connolly in the Washington, D.C. office under Kannon Shanmugam, and in January 2017 was named a partner. She left Williams & Connolly after being appointed to the Fourth Circuit.

Federal judicial service

On August 27, 2018, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Rushing to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Her official nomination was received on the same day by the United States Senate. She was nominated to the seat being vacated by Allyson Kay Duncan, who previously announced her intention to take senior status on a date to be determined. On October 17, 2018, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
During Rushing's confirmation proceedings, she was questioned about her ties to the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian group that she had interned for as a law student. ADF has been criticized for opposing LGBT rights. Rushing was asked if she would recuse herself from ADF-related cases if confirmed. She replied: "I would determine the appropriate action with the input of the parties, consultation of these rules and ethical canons, and consultation with my colleagues." Asked about ADF being labeled a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Rushing said: "Hate is wrong, and it should have no place in our society. In my experience with ADF, I have not witnessed anyone expressing or advocating hate."
On January 3, 2019, her nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate. On January 23, 2019, President Trump announced his intent to renominate Rushing for a federal judgeship. Her nomination was sent to the Senate later that day. On February 7, 2019, her nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–10, party line vote. On March 4, 2019, the Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a vote of 52–43. On March 5, 2019, the Senate voted to confirm Rushing by a 53–44 vote. She received her judicial commission on March 21, 2019.

Memberships

Rushing has been a member of the Federalist Society since 2012.

Personal life

On November 5, 2016, she married Blake Vincent Rushing in Washington, D.C.

Selected publications

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