Justice Ellen Gracie Northfleet served as Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil from 2006 to 2008. In 2000, she became the first woman to be appointed to the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil. In addition to serving as Chief Justice, she has been Vice-President of the Federal Electoral Court and President of the National Judicial Council. Over a legal career spanning more than 30 years, Justice Northfleet has served in a number of roles. She began her career as a Federal Attorney with the Ministerio Publico Federal in 1973, after which she entered the bench as a Judge of the Federal Court of Appeals, where she was a member of the Regulations Committee and the Continuing Education Committee. She has also been a member of the Administration Board, Chief Judge, and Member of the Regional Electoral Court.