Who Is Merrick Garland? Age, Biography and Wiki
Merrick Garland was born on November 13, 1952, making him 72 years old in 2025. An esteemed American lawyer and jurist, he has been a significant figure in the legal community for decades. Garland's academic prowess and thoughtful jurisprudence have made him a respected leader, particularly in his role as the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. His contributions to the legal field and public service have been noteworthy, especially during pivotal moments in American law and politics.
| Occupation | Lawyers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 13, 1952 |
| Age | 72 Years |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Merrick Garland's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As a prominent public figure, Merrick Garland's height is reported to be approximately 6 feet (183 cm). His weight is estimated around 180 lbs (82 kg), presenting a healthy and approachable demeanor. Generally, he maintains a professional appearance, often seen in formal attire suitable for judicial duties.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Merrick Garland is married to Lynn Garland, an accomplished professional in her own right. The couple has three daughters together and is known for their strong family values. As of 2025, there have been no public indications of any controversies or major shifts in their relationship, continuing to embody the supportive partnership they have created over the years.
His mother Shirley (1925–2016) was a director of volunteer services at Chicago's Council for Jewish Elderly (now called CJE SeniorLife). His father, Cyril Garland (1915–2000), headed Garland Advertising, a small business run out of the family home.
Garland was raised in Conservative Judaism; the family name had been changed from Garfinkel several generations earlier. His grandparents left the Pale of Settlement in the western Russian Empire in the early 20th century, fleeing antisemitic pogroms in what is now Ukraine and Poland.
Two of his grandmother's siblings were later murdered in the Holocaust. He is a second cousin of Republican six-term Iowa Governor and former US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad.
Net Worth and Salary
Merrick Garland’s net worth is estimated to be around $18 million in 2025. His salary as Chief Judge is notably significant, though exact figures can vary based on judicial positions and tenure. Beyond his judicial salary, Garland's wealth is likely bolstered by prior roles and positions in legal education, advisory roles, and potential investments.
Financial disclosure forms in 2016 indicated that Garland's net worth at the time was between $6million and $23M. As of 2021, his net worth was estimated by Forbes at $8.6-33M.
Career, Business and Investments
Garland's career has been marked by several high-profile positions. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he served as a law clerk for Justice William Brennan of the U.S. Supreme Court. Over the years, he has held roles in both the private and public sectors, including having served as a federal prosecutor.
In 2016, he was nominated by President Barack Obama to the Supreme Court, but the nomination was not confirmed. Despite this setback, he continued to contribute to the judicial system and was appointed as Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2021. His career remains dedicated to public service and the upholding of American law, with no current involvement in significant business ventures outside of his legal responsibilities.
After the Carter administration ended in 1981, Garland entered private practice at the law firm Arnold & Porter. Garland practiced mostly corporate litigation, and was made a partner in 1985. In Motor Vehicles Manufacturers Ass'n v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.
(1983) Garland acted as counsel to an insurance company suing to reinstate an unpopular automatic seat belt mandate.
After winning the case in both the District of Columbia Circuit Court and the Supreme Court, Garland wrote an 87-page Harvard Law Review article describing the way courts use a heightened "hard look" standard of review and scope of review when an agency chooses deregulation, with increasing focus on the fidelity of the agencies' actions to congress
ional intent.
In 1985–86, while at Arnold & Porter, Garland was a lecturer at Harvard Law School, where he taught antitrust law. He also published an article in the Yale Law Journal urging a broader application of antitrust immunity to state and local governments.
Social Network
Merrick Garland maintains a relatively low public profile on social media. While he may have professional connections on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter, he has avoided becoming a prominent social media figure. His focus primarily remains on his judicial responsibilities rather than public engagement through social platforms.
In that role, Garland's responsibilities included the supervision of high-profile domestic-terrorism cases, including the Oklahoma City bombing, Ted Kaczynski (also known as the "Unabomber"), and the Atlanta Olympics bombings.
Garland insisted on being sent to Oklahoma City in the aftermath of the attack, in order to examine the crime scene and oversee the investigation in preparation for the prosecution. He represented the government at the preliminary hearings of the two main defendants, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.
Garland offered to lead the trial team, but could not because he was needed at the Justice Department headquarters. Instead, he helped pick the team and supervised it from Washington, D.C., where he was involved in major decisions, including the choice to seek the death penalty for McVeigh and Nichols.
Garland won praise for his work on the case from the Republican governor of Oklahoma, Frank Keating.
Education
Merrick Garland's educational background is impressive. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College in 1974 before earning his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1977. His education has undoubtedly laid the foundation for his successful career in law and public service, shaping the mindset that has propelled him through various challenging roles in the judiciary.
A native of the Chicago area, Garland attended Harvard University and Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He served as a law clerk to Judge Henry Friendly of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J.
Brennan Jr., and then practiced corporate litigation at Arnold & Porter, after which he worked as a federal prosecutor in the United States Department of Justice, where he supervised the investigation and prosecution of the Oklahoma City bombers.
President Bill Clinton appointed Garland to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1997, and he served as its chief judge from 2013 to 2020.
Conclusion
In 2025, Merrick Garland stands as a dedicated jurist whose contributions to law and society continue to influence the American legal landscape. With a successful career, a loving family, and a commitment to justice, Garland remains a storied figure worthy of recognition and respect.
