West Virginia University College of Law

October 27, 2009
By Andrew Clevenger
The Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, W.Va. —On a 96-0 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene C. Berger as a federal judge on Tuesday.

Berger will become the first black federal judge in West Virginia’s history. She has been a state judge since 1994.

President Obama nominated the McDowell County native in July. After a September hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved her nomination on Oct. 1.

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., called Berger “not only an outstanding jurist, she is also an exemplary person.”

“Through her drive and determination, Judge Berger broke barrier after barrier. She was the first in her family to attend college, and she was the first African American woman to serve as a circuit judge in West Virginia,” Byrd said.

“Embodying true Mountaineer spirit and pride, Judge Berger’s contributions to legal service and education have been substantial. Sitting on the bench, she will continue her fine service to her community and to the great state of West Virginia.”

After the vote, Berger said she was honored at every stage of the long process, from the initial recommendation from Byrd and Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., to the President’s nomination, to the unanimous approval of the Senate Judiciary and finally Tuesday’s unanimous Senate vote.

“It’s a little bit overwhelming to think that that has happened over my career,” she said.

Berger said she appreciated the mentoring and support she has received during her “charmed career,” from her first days as a Legal Aid attorney, then through her time as a state and federal prosecutor and 15 years on the state bench. More…