Lucy Koh

Lucy Koh (born 1968) is an American attorney and jurist serving as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She was previously a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Born in Washington, D.C. to South Korean immigrants, Koh received her A.B. from Harvard University and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. Prior to her judicial service, she worked as a federal prosecutor and in private practice.

President Barack Obama nominated Koh to the District Court in 2010, and she was confirmed by the Senate later that year. During her time on the District Court, she presided over numerous high-profile cases, including several related to patent law and technology. Notably, she oversaw the patent infringement lawsuits between Apple and Samsung.

In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Koh to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She was confirmed by the Senate and received her commission later that year. Her judicial philosophy is generally considered to be moderate to liberal.