Pasadena judge possibly considered for Supreme Court (9th Circuit Federal Judge Kim Wardlaw)

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This photo provided by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco show Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw. Wardlaw is a possible U.S. Supreme Court nominee. (AP Photo/9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals)


PASADENA - A federal appeals court judge based in Pasadena has emerged as a candidate to replace Supreme Court Justice David Souter when he steps down from the bench next month.

Kim McLane Wardlaw, 54, a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judge whose chambers are located in Pasadena, is among those considered as a possible choice for the high court, according to several published reports.

Souter, 69, announced last week that he would step down at the end of the court's term in late June. His retirement after almost two decades of unpredictable decisions gives President Barack Obama an early chance to place his stamp on the nine-member high court, possibly by naming a minority or a second woman.

A spokesman for 9th Circuit Court of appeals said Wardlaw would not comment on any stories regarding the Supreme Court.

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