On November 3, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Padin to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. On December 15, 2021, her nomination was sent to the Senate. President Biden nominated Padin to the seat vacated by Judge Faith S. Hochberg, who assumed senior status on March 6, 2015. Padin was recommended by Senator Robert Menendez. On March 2, 2022, a hearing on her nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On April 4, 2022, her nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–10 vote. On May 24, 2022, the United States Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a 52–39 vote. On May 25, 2022, her nomination was confirmed by a 51–43 vote. She received her judicial commission on June 24, 2022. She is the second Latina federal judge for the District of New Jersey.
