Litigation

Cal. Litig. VOLUME 38, ISSUE 2, SEPTEMBER 2025

INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE CAROLYN K. DELANEY

Interview conducted by Christina M. McCall

Carolyn K. Delaney has served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of California since 2011. Judge Delaney became the Chief Magistrate Judge for the district in 2024. Before joining the federal bench, Judge Delaney served as an Assistant United States Attorney for 12 years (including serving as the First Assistant and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney), and as a prosecutor in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, and the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Delaney earned her law degree from Stanford University and college degree from Wesleyan University.

In this interview, Judge Delaney shares the unique characteristics of the Eastern District of California, what inspired her to become a prosecutor, lasting impressions from a year working in the U.S. Embassy in Turkey, her advice for successful motion practice, and the impact of the heaviest caseload in the nation. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Q: WHAT MAKES THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA UNIQUE?

Join CLA to access this page

Join Now

Forgot Password

Enter the email associated with you account. You will then receive a link in your inbox to reset your password.

Personal Information

Select Section(s)

CLA Membership is $99 and includes one section. Additional sections are $99 each.

Payment