Patricia M. Wald Closed Now

Patricia McGowan Wald (1928–2019) was an American jurist and one of the most influential women in the history of U.S. law and international justice. As the first woman appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit—often considered the second most powerful court in the United States—she broke barriers in the American judiciary while also leaving a lasting mark on transitional justice through her service at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Wald studied at Yale Law School, graduating in 1951, where she was among the few women in her class. After years of public service and advocacy work, she was appointed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, later serving as Chief Judge from 1986 to 1991. Throughout her domestic career, she became known for her sharp intellect, progressive rulings, and commitment to fairness and equality under the law.

Following her retirement from the D.C. Circuit in 1999, Wald turned her focus to international justice. From 1999 to 2001, she served as a judge on the ICTY, where she adjudicated cases related to atrocities committed during the Balkan wars. Her judicial work at The Hague emphasized accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, reinforcing the role of tribunals in transitional justice and reconciliation.

After her service at the ICTY, Wald continued to engage with issues of justice and rule of law. She was appointed to the Iraq Intelligence Commission in 2004 and served on the President’s Commission on the Implementation of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Genocide Prevention Task Force. Her voice remained influential in shaping both U.S. and international approaches to justice and human rights.

Patricia Wald’s career exemplified dedication to justice in both domestic and international arenas. She remains a role model for women in the legal profession and a respected figure in the history of transitional justice.