Diane Gilbert Sypolt

Born in Rochester, New York to Myron B. and Doris (Robie) Gilbert,[1] Sypolt received a B.A. in Spanish and medieval comparative literature from Smith College in 1969, and was a visiting student at Stanford University Law School and Georgetown University Law Center,[1] before receiving a J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1979.[2] Sypolt served as a law clerk to the Hon. Catherine B. Kelly of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals from 1979 to 1980,[2] and was then in private practice in Washington, D.C. from 1980 to 1983, as an associate with the firm of Peabody, Lambert and Meyers.[1]

Sypolt was assistant general counsel to the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President from 1983 to 1986, and was deputy general counsel to the U.S. Department of Education from 1986 to 1989, serving as acting general counsel in 1988 and 1989. She then served as counselor to the vice president of the United States, Dan Quayle, from 1989 to 1990.[1][2] She also served on the President's Competitiveness Council from 1989 to 1990.[1]

On July 31, 1990, Sypolt was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a seat on the U.S. Claims Court (later U.S. Court of Federal Claims) vacated by the elevation of Randall Ray Rader to the Federal Circuit. Sypolt was confirmed by the Senate on October 12, 1990, and received her commission on October 17, 1990,[2] entering on duty October 22, 1990.[1] She assumed senior status on January 31, 2005 and retired from the bench on September 1, 2005.[2]

Sypolt was married to history professor Allen Weinstein until 1990. She and Weinstein had two sons, Andrew and David.[3] In October 1995, Sypolt married Dwight D. Sypolt,[1] although she continued to serve under the name Diane Gilbert Weinstein.[2]

• Diane Gilbert Sypolt at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.