Leonie Brinkema
US district judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Commissioned on 20 October 1993, Leonie Brinkema became a district judge after eight years as a federal magistrate judge. Her earlier legal work included prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Leonie Brinkema
Arlington sues over armed men at polls
US Midterms 2026Background
Leonie Brinkema serves as a district judge in the Eastern District of Virginia's Alexandria division. President Bill Clinton nominated her in August 1993. The Senate confirmed her that October, and she received her commission on 20 October. Her district-court appointment followed service as a federal magistrate judge in the same district from 1985 to 1993.
Brinkema earned an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in library Science at Rutgers University before studying law at Cornell. Her [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/brinkema-leonie-m) records work in the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, followed by service as an assistant US Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. She later worked in the department's Office of International Affairs. Private practice in Alexandria and legal teaching preceded her first federal judicial appointment.
Reference
What judicial role did Leonie Brinkema hold before her district-court appointment?
When did Leonie Brinkema become a federal district judge?
Who is Leonie Brinkema?
Why is Leonie Brinkema involved in Arlington County's polling-place lawsuit?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.