San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman Nominated to Federal Bench

Beth Labson Freeman graduated with a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1976 and she earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1979. She began her legal career at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson from 1979 to 1981. Freeman then worked at Lasky, Haas, Cohler and Munter from 1981 to 1983. She served as Deputy County Counsel at the San Mateo County Counsel's Office for eighteen years (1983 to 2001). Freeman went on to serve as a judge on the San Mateo County Superior Court (SMCSC).

According to The White House article, "President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Three to Serve on the United States District Court," from 2009 to 2010, Freeman was elected by her colleagues to serve as Assistant Presiding Judge of SMCSC. She was also elected by her colleagues to serve as Presiding Judge of SMCSC from 2011 to 2012.


The Daily Journal editorial, "San Mateo County Superior Court Judge nominated to federal bench," noted that Judge Freeman has presided over numerous criminal and civil issues. She is well known for presiding over the criminal molestation trials of former child psychiatrist William Hamilton Ayres. As presiding judge, Freeman provided her opinion to county officials during the dispute over a new jail concerning how each judge provides their own deliberation of cases, which in turn generate diverse results. She also presided over the local court during times of extreme state budget reductions that cut hours and staff, shuttered courtrooms and led to concerns regarding restricting access to justice.

The White House column reported that on Thursday, June 20, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Freeman to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The new seat was created on October 3, 2011. Freeman's nomination is currently pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee. President Obama also nominated Jennifer Prescod May-Parker and James Donato for District Court judgeships. According to the article, President Obama stated, "I am pleased to nominate these distinguished individuals to serve on the United States District Court bench. I am confident they will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice."

The Daily Journal editorial pointed out that U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein recommended Freeman to serve on the U. S. District Court bench.