Illston, Susan Yvonne (1948-)

Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1948, Susan Yvonne Illston moved to the United States and began attending Duke University. She graduated in 1970 with a bachelor of arts degree, and moved to California to attend Stanford Law School. She received her J.D. in 1973 and promptly opened her private practice in Burlingame, California. She remained there for the next 22 years, until January 23, 1995, when President Bill Clinton nominated her for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The seat had been vacated by Barbara A. Caulfield. Illston was confirmed by the Senate on May 25, 1995, and she received her commission on the following day.