President Barack Obama nominated two Latino judges to serve on the United States Court of Appeals on Wednesday. 

The nominees await a confirmation vote from the U.S. Senate. Here's a look at the two nominees:


Luis Felipe Restrepo

Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo was nominated to serve for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. According to the White House, Restrepo has been serving as a U.S. District Judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania since June 2013. Although born in Colombia, Restrepo has a history with the Keystone State as he received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981 and later become the Defender Association of Philadelphia's assistant defender from 1987 to 1990.

Restrepo is also an entrepreneur, as he started the law firm Krasner & Restrepo. He covered litigation ranging from civil and criminal matters on state and federal courts.

In 2006, Restrepo would later receive the call to serve as a federal magistrate judge. During his time as a federal magistrate judge, he was involved in Eastern District of Pennsylvania's reentry program to reintegrate individuals released from federal custody in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Defenders Office and U.S. Probation Office.

Restrepo also indulged himself in the education system as he taught trial advocacy and legal research and writing courses at Temple University Law School. He also taught at the University of Pennsylvania Law School from 1997 to 2003.

Kara Farnandez Stoll

Obama's second nominee is Kara Farnandez Stoll for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She is an attorney at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett and Dunner, LLP in Washington, D.C.

Stoll's legal career has largely focused on patent litigation and she represented clients at district and appellate levels. She has also served a lead counsel on several cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

"Kara has an amazing legal mind with extensive experience and knowledge of the Federal Circuit, and consistently displays the judgment and temperament that one wants in a judge," Finnegan's Managing Partner James Monroe said. "Kara's colleagues and peers are delighted that President Obama has recognized her experience and talent in nominating her to be a member of this very important court."

Stoll worked as a patent examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office between 1991 and 1997 before serving as a clerk for Judge Alvin Schall of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In 1998, Stoll brought her patent expertise to Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett and Dunner, LLP. According to the White House, at Finnegan, she primarily focuses on consumer electronics, computers, software and medical devices industries.

Stoll is also currently a co-chair for the Federal Circuit Bar Association's Rules Committee. She has been an adjunct professor at George Mason University Law School since 2008 and previously taught at Howard University School of Law from 2004 to 2008.

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