Federal Circuit Judge Pauline Newman, 96, is the oldest active U.S. federal judge.
She was appointed to the Federal Circuit in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.
Newman is a highly respected figure in patent law and a prominent dissenter.
In 2023, she was suspended from hearing new cases amid concerns about her mental fitness.
Newman has denied the accusations and is challenging the suspension in court.
Newman is a controversial figure, but her supporters say she is a brilliant jurist and a champion of inventors.
Her critics say she is too old and her decisions are unreliable.
The case of Judge Newman has raised important questions about the role of age in the judiciary.
It is also a reminder of the challenges of maintaining a lifetime appointment system.
The outcome of Newman's case will have a significant impact on the future of the U.S. federal judiciary.