Part-time Faculty
The Honorable Virginia M. Kendall
Biography
Judge Kendall is the newest appointed federal judge in this district having come on the bench in late January of 2005. Prior to her appointment she worked at the United States Attorney's Office here in Chicago where she served as a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Division, as Coordinator of Project Safe Neighborhoods and as the Child Exploitation Coordinator. Prior to working with the United States Attorney's Office, Judge Kendall clerked for Hon. George Marovich in the Northern District of Illinois.
She has been an adjunct professor of trial practice and federal criminal prosecution at Loyola University School of Law for the past twelve years and currently is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Law School. She also has published law journal articles in the Northwestern University Law Review regarding child molestation statutes and sentencing. As a trial attorney, Judge Kendall prosecuted a variety of federal crimes including violent crimes, white collar fraud, insurance fraud, police corruption, public corruption, and racketeering cases. She has lectured extensively in the areas of internet and computer investigations and has trained federal and local law enforcement agents. She has also worked to train outside private and public sector organizations including the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Police Department, and the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children. She has also participated in numerous academic symposiums and panels. She served on the Attorney General's National Advisory Committee that reviewed all nationwide child exploitation investigations.
For three years she also co-coordinated the federal program Project Safe Neighborhoods which is designed to reduce gun violence within the city. As coordinator, she worked closely with local police departments, ATF, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and grass roots organizations to eradicate the use of weapons that result in violence and drug trafficking. She lectured extensively on the goals of the program and conducted forums for convicted felons who were being released into the community regarding the need to lay down weapons and seek alternative choices in life.
Aside from her professional roles, Judge Kendall has participated in a number of service projects that support high school students, including moderating service trips to Peru, establishing trial training programs, and developing awareness and support programs to curb gun violence. Most recently she was awarded the Chicago Crime Commission's Star of Distinction Award for her work in law enforcement and the Loyola University Bellarmine Award for her distinguished legal and service contributions to the community. Judge Kendall received her undergraduate and masters degrees from Northwestern University and her law degree from Loyola University School of Law.
| Education: | B.A., Northwestern University, 1984 M.A., Northwestern University, 1987 J.D., Loyola Chicago, 1992 |
| Present Position: | Judge in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois |
| Course taught: | Federal Criminal Prosecution Seminar Trial Practice I |
| Contact: |
U.S. District Court |
