History of Jamal Whitehead in Timeline

Jamal Norman Whitehead is an American lawyer currently serving as a United States district judge for the Western District of Washington. His career has focused on law, leading to his appointment to the federal judiciary.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1979: Jamal Whitehead Born

In 1979, Jamal Norman Whitehead was born. He is an American lawyer and a United States district judge for the Western District of Washington.

1980: Refugee Act Enacted

In 1980, the Refugee Act of 1980 was enacted. On February 25, 2025, Judge Whitehead ruled that Executive Order 14163 violated this act.

2004: Earned Bachelor's Degree

In 2004, Jamal Whitehead earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Washington.

2007: Began Working at Garvey Schubert Barer

From 2007, Jamal Whitehead worked as an attorney at Garvey Schubert Barer in Seattle.

2007: Earned Juris Doctor

In 2007, Jamal Whitehead earned a Juris Doctor from the Seattle University School of Law.

2010: Served as a Senior Trial Attorney at EEOC

From 2010, Jamal Whitehead served as a senior trial attorney in the Seattle office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

2014: Served as Assistant United States Attorney

From 2014 to 2016, Jamal Whitehead served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington.

2016: Became Shareholder at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender

From 2016 to 2023, Jamal Whitehead was a shareholder at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender in Seattle.

2018: Co-counsel for disabled employee

In 2018, Jamal Whitehead served as co-counsel for a disabled car dealership employee after he was fired by Mercedes-Benz of Seattle for using a prosthetic voice box. The jury returned a $5 million verdict in the client's favor, and Whitehead successfully argued the case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

2021: Represented Plaintiffs in GEO Group Lawsuit

In 2021, Jamal Whitehead represented private plaintiffs suing GEO Group for paying incarcerated ICE detainees $1 a day. He was appointed class counsel and secured a $17.3 million verdict for the workers after a three-week trial.

July 13, 2022: Nominated for US District Judge

On July 13, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Jamal Whitehead to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

September 5, 2022: Judge Jones Assumed Senior Status

On September 5, 2022, Judge Richard A. Jones assumed senior status, vacating the seat for which Jamal Whitehead was nominated.

September 21, 2022: Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

On September 21, 2022, a hearing on Jamal Whitehead's nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

December 1, 2022: Nomination Reported Out of Committee

On December 1, 2022, Jamal Whitehead's nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–10 vote.

January 3, 2023: Nomination Returned to President

On January 3, 2023, Jamal Whitehead's nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate, but he was renominated later the same day.

February 2, 2023: Nomination Reported Out of Committee Again

On February 2, 2023, Jamal Whitehead's nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–9 vote.

February 28, 2023: Senate Invoked Cloture and Confirmed Nomination

On February 28, 2023, the Senate invoked cloture on Jamal Whitehead's nomination by a 51–43 vote. Later that day, his nomination was confirmed by a 51–43 vote.

March 14, 2023: Received Judicial Commission

On March 14, 2023, Jamal Whitehead received his judicial commission.

April 4, 2023: Sworn In as Judge

On April 4, 2023, Jamal Whitehead was sworn in as a United States District Judge.

2023: Left Schroeter Goldmark & Bender

In 2023, Jamal Whitehead left his position as a shareholder at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender in Seattle.

February 25, 2025: Issued Injunction Against Executive Order 14163

On February 25, 2025, Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a preliminary injunction against Executive Order 14163, which would indefinitely suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. He ruled the limitations overstepped the President's authority and congressional refugee frameworks, violating the Refugee Act of 1980 and the Administrative Procedure Act.