Judicial Nominations & Confirmations

U.S. Attorney Confirmation:

Judicial Appointments

The following nominations were confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday, April 10, 2008:

New State Judges

Hawaii

Associate Judge Katherine G. Leonard is the newest Judge on the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals. She was appointed by Governor Linda Lingle.

Idaho

Governor Otter appointed Justice Joel D. Horton to serve on the Idaho Supreme Court. He will replace Justice Linda Copple-Trout who retired from the Supreme Court effective January 1, 2008.

Minnesota

Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed the following judges to the Minnesota Court of Appeals; Judge Francis Connolly, Judge Matthew E. Johnson and Judge Heidi S. Schellhas. The three judges will serve on the Court of Appeals until January 3, 2011. The three judges were sworn in on Wednesday, January 16, 2008.

Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Christopher Dietzen to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Judge Dietzen is currently serving on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He will be sworn in as a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice in February.

Judicial Changes

Judicial Nominations

President George W. Bush submitted the following name to serve as District Judge to the U.S. Senate on July 18, 2007.

Judicial Confirmations

The U.S. Senate confirmed Debra A. Livingston, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit on May 9, 2007.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Frederick J. Kapala of Illinois, to be U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois on May 8, 2007.

Judicial Confirmations

On April 24, 2007 the U.S. Senate confirmed Halil S. Ozerden, of Mississippi, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi.

On April 26, 2007 the U.S. Senate confirmed John R. Hackman of Virginia, to be U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia.

On April 26, 2007 the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert G. Howard, Jr. of Arkansas, to be U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

Henry S. Perkin was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania effective March 2, 2007.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Carla E. Craig was elevated to Chief Bankruptcy Judge, succeeding U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Melanie L, Cyganowski, for the Eastern District of New York, effective March 1, 2007.

The following three judges took senior status recently;

Judicial Appointments

Pres. George W. Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate for vacant Article III positions on February 15, 2007:

Judicial Confirmations

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals to serve as Article III Judges on February 1, 2007:

Lawrence J. O’Neill, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of California;
Valerie L. Baker, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California;
Gregory K. Frizzell, of Oklahoma, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Judicial Appointments

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals to be Article Three Judges on January 30, 2007:

Judicial Nominations

President George W. Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate to serve as Article III Judges on January 9, 2007:

• John Preston Bailey, of West Virginia, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia. He will replace retired Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr.;


• Valerie L. Baker, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. She will replace retired Judge Consuelo B. Marshall.


• Vanessa Lynne Bryant, of Connecticut, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Connecticut. She will replace retired Judge Dominic J. Squatrito.


• Mary O. Donohue, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. She will replace retired Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.


• Thomas Alvin Farr, of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. He will replace retired Judge Malcolm J. Howard.


• Nora Barry Fischer, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District Pennsylvania. She will replace resigned Judge Robert J. Cindrich.


• Gregory Kent Frizzell, of Oklahoma, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma. He will replace resigned Judge Sven E. Holmes.


• Phillip S. Gutierrez, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Judge P. Hatter, Jr.


• Thomas M. Hardiman, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Third Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Richard L. Nygaard.


• Marcia Morales Howard, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. She will replace retired Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger.


• John Alfred Jarvey, of Iowa, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa. He will replace retired Judge Ronald E. Longstaff.


• Frederick J. Kapala, of Illinois, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He will replace retired Judge Phillip G. Reinhard.


• Peter D. Keisler, of Maryland, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. He will replace elevated Judge John G. Roberts. Jr.


• Sara Elizabeth Lioi, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. She will replace retired Judge Lesley Brooks Wells.


• Debra Ann Livingston, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. She will replace retired Judge John M. Walker, Jr.


• Roslynn Renee Mauskopf, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. She will replace retired Judge David G. Trager.


• Liam O’Grady, of Virginia, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. She will replace retired Judge Claude M. HiIton.


• Lawrence Joseph O’Neill, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of California. He will replace retired Judge Oliver W. Wanger.


• Halil Suleyman Ozerden, of Mississippi, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. He will replace retired Judge David C. Bramlette.


• Martin Karl Reidinger, of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. He will replace retired Judge Graham C. Mullen.


• James Edward Rogan, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He will replace resigned Judge Nora M. Manella.


• Thomas D. Schroeder, of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. He will replace resigned Judge Frank W. Bullock, Jr.


• Benjamin Hale Settle, of Washington, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Washington. He will replace retired Judge Franklin D. Burgess.


• Leslie Southwick, of Mississippi, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. She will replace retired Judge Charles W. Pickering, Sr.


• Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Stephen S. Trott.


• Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, of Indiana, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. He will replace retiring Judge Rudy Lozano.


• Lisa Godbey Wood, of Georgia, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Georgia. She will replace retired Judge Dudley H. Bowen, Jr.


• Otis D. Wright, II, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Judge Gary L. Taylor.


• George H. Wu, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Judge Ronald S. W. Lew.

• Carol A. Dalton, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. She will replace elevated Judge A. Noel Anketell Kramer.


• Anthony C. Epstein, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. He will replace retired Judge Susan Rebecca Holmes.


• Dabney Langhorne Friedrich, of Virginia, to be a Member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission for the remainder of the term expiring October 31, 2009 to which position she was appointed during the last recess of the U.S. Senate. She will replace Michael O’Neill.


• Beryl A. Howell, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission for the term expiring October 31, 2011 to which position she was reappointed during the last recess of the U.S. Senate. (Reappointment).


• Heidi M. Pasichow, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. She will replace elevated Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby.


• John R. Steer, of Virginia, to be a Member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission for a term expiring October 31, 2011, to which position he was appointed during the last recess of the U.S. Senate. (Reappointment).

Judicial Appointments

State News
Iowa Supreme Court Justice Marsha K. Ternus has been elected to serve as the Chief Justice for the state of Iowa. The court indicated that 15 other states have women serving as chief justice. Chief Justice Ternus will succeed Justice Louis Lavorato.

Federal News
President George W. Bush has submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate for Article III Judge positions
Thomas M. Hardiman, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Richard L. Nygaard.
Halil Suleyman Ozerden, of Mississippi, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. He will replace retired Judge David C. Bramlette.
OTIS D. Wright II, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Judge Gary L. Taylor.
George H. Wu, of California, to be Central District of California. He will replace retiring Judge Ronald S. W. Lew.

U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals:
Kimberly Ann Moore, of Virginia, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit.
George E. B. Holding, of North Carolina, to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has appointed Jeffrey P. Minear to serve as his Chief of Staff for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judge Jack T. Camp elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. He will succeed Judge Orinda Evans.
Judge Robert James Conrad Jr. elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. He will succeed Judge Richard L. Voorhees.
Judge William L. Edmonds elevated to Chief Judge, U.S. bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa. He will succeed Judge Paul J. Kilburg.
Judge Patrick M. Flatley elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. He will succeed Judge. L. Edward Friend II.
Judge James F. Holderman, Jr. elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He will succeed Judge Charles P. Kocoras who also took Senior Status.

Randy Davis Doub was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Roger L. Efremsky was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California.
George W. Emerson was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee.
Jean K. FitzSimon was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Daniel S. Opperman was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Linda R. Anderson was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Teresa M. McKee was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court of Wyoming

Judicial Nominations

President George W. Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate for consideration of Article III Judicial vacancies:

Terrence W. Boyle, of North Carolina, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. William James Haynes II, of Virginia, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. William Gerry Myers III, of Idaho, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. Michael Brunson Wallace, of Mississippi, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.

Judicial Appointments

The following names have been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Article III Judges; Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. Bobby E. Shepherd, of Arkansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. Daniel Porter Jordan III, of Mississippi, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. Gustavo Antonio Gelpi, of Puerto Rico, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico.

President George W. Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate to serve as Article III Judges; Sara Elizabeth Lioi, of Ohio to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. She will replace retired Judge Lesley Brooks Wells. Nora Barry Fischer, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She will replace Judge Robert J. Cindrich, who resigned from the Federal Bench

The following U.S. Attorneys have been confirmed by the U.S. Senate; Martin J. Jackley, of South Dakota, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota. Brett L. Tolman, of Utah, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah.



The following names were appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts; Paulette J. Delk, US. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Tennessee David Robert Duncan, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of South Carolina Robert A. Gordon, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Maryland. Charles E. Rendlen III, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.

The following names were appointed Magistrate Judges for the District Courts; Jeremiah C. Lynch, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Montana. Michael T. Parker, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. Luis Felipe Restrepo, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The following Judges were elevated to Chief Judge: Judge Robert James Conrad, Jr. to Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. He will succeed Judge Richard L. Voorhees. Judge James F. Holderman, Jr. to Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He will succeed Judge Charles P. Kocoras. Judge Patrick M. Flatley to Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia. He will succeed Judge L. Edward Friend II.

The following Judge took Senior Status; Judge Dudley H. Bowen, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. Judge Charles P. Kocoras, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Magistrate Judge Ian H. Levin, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois retired on June 30, 2006.

Judicial Nominations

President George W. Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate for Article III Judgeships:

Circuit Court Judicial Nominations
Debra Ann Livingston, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. She will replace retiring Judge John M. Walker, Jr. Kent A. Jordan, of Delaware, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Jane R. Roth. Raymond M. Kethledge, of Michigan, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. He will replace retired Judge James L. Ryan. Stephen Joseph Murphy, III, of Michigan, to be Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. He will replace deceased Judge Susan Bieke Neilson. Peter D. Keisler, of Maryland, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. He will replace elevated Judge John G. Roberts, Jr.


District Court Judicial Nominations
John Preston Bailey, of West Virginia, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia. He will replace retiring Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. Mary O. Donohue, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. She will replace retired Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. John Alfred Jarvey, of Iowa, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa. he will replace retiring Judge Ronald E. Longstaff. Robert James Jonker, of Michigan, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Michigan. He will replace retired Judge Gordon J. Quist. Paul Lewis Maloney, of Michigan, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Michigan. He will replace retired Judge Richard Alan Enslen Janet T. Neff, of Michigan, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Michigan. She will replace elevated Judge David W. McKeague.

Judicial Appointments

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals for Article III Judges: Andrew J. Guilford, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. Frank D. Whitney, of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. Patrick J. Schiltz, of Minnesota, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Minnesota. Gray H. Miller, of Texas, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Michael R. Barrett, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

The following individuals were appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Stacey G. Jernigan, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Victoria S. Kaufman, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California.

The following Judge was elevated to Chief Judge: U.S. District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt, was appointed Chief Judge for the Southern District of Iowa. He will succeed U.S. District Judge Ronald E. Longstaff.

The following Judges took Senior Status: Judge Oliver W. Wanger, took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger, took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

The following Judges retired form the court: Senior Judge F.A. Little, Jr. retired form the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Bankruptcy Judge William Houston Brown retired form the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

Judicial Changes

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individual to serve as an Article III Judge: Sandra Segal Ikuta, of California, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

The U.S. Senate also confirmed the following individual to serve as U.S. Attorney: Charles P. Rosenberg, of Virginia, to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the U.S. Senate to serve as a Article III Judge:
Lisa Godbey Wood, of Georgia, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Georgia. She will replace retiring Judge Dudley H. Bowen, Jr.

Judicial Changes

President George W. Bush has submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate:

Gregory Kent Fizzell, of Oklahoma to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma. He will replace Judge Sven E. Holmes who recently resigned. Marcia Morales Howard, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. She will replace retired Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Leslie Southwick, of Mississippi, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. She will replace retired Judge William H. Barbour, Jr.

The following individuals were confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as an Article III Judge:

Renee Marie Bumb, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. Noel Lawrence Hillman, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. Peter G. Sheridan, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. Thomas L. Ludington, of Michigan, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. Sean F. Cox, of Michigan to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The following individuals were appointed to serve on the Bankruptcy Courts:

Susan D. Barrett, as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Georgia. Thomas J. Catliota, as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. Wendelin I. Lipp, as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. Neil P. Olack, as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. Vincent Aug, Jr., elevated to Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Peter W. Bowie, elevated to Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California.

Judge John M. Roll, elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

The following individual were appointed to serve as Magistrate Judges to the District Courts:

Claire C. Cecchi, as U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Frederick F. Mumm, as U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Diana Saldana, as U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Judge Jane R. Roth, took Senior Status from the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

The following Judges retired from the bench:

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James N. Barr, retired from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California U.S. Magistrate Judge Faith M. Angell, retired from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter A. Nowlinski, retired from U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. U.S. Magistrate Judge Arnold C. Rapoport, retired from U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. U.S. Magistrate Judge O. Edward Schlatter, retired from U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Swartwood, III, retired for U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Judicial Changes

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following to serve as Article III Judges

Susan D. Wigenton, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She will replace retiring Judge John W. Bissell.

President Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate:

Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, of the District of Columbia to be Associate Judge for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. She will replace retiring Judge Frank Ernest Schwelb.

Phyllis D. Thompson, of the District of Coumbia to be Associate Judge for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. She will replace retired Judge John A. Terry.

Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. He will replace retired Judge David M. Ebel.

Judicial Changes

Senior Judge Dies

Senior Judge Edward R. Becker died Friday, May 19th of cancer at the age of 73. Judge Becker served on the Third Circuit from 1982 thru 2003, when he took senior status. He served as Chief Judge from 1998 to 2003 on the Third Circuit. Judge Becker also served as District Judge for Philadelphia where he served form 1970 to 1982. Judge Becker was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School. He was considered to be one of the most influential federal appeals judges by legal scholars.

Confirmations
The Senate Confirmed Milan D. Smith, Jr. of California, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. He will replace Retiring Judge Tashima A. Wallace.

Nominations
President George W. Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate for District and Circuit Judges:
Francisco Augusto Besosa, of Puerto Rico, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico. He will replace retired Judge Juan M. Perez-Gimenez.
Bobby E. Shepherd, of Arkansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. He will replace retiring Judge Morris S. Arnold.
Kimberly Ann Moore, of Virginia, to be U.S. States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit. She will replace Retired Judge Raymond C. Clevenger, III.

The following names were submitted to the U.S. Senate by President George W. Bush for U.S. Attorney positions
Martin J. Jackley, of South Dakota, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota. He will replace Steven Kent Mullins.

California State Judges:
Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar has submitted the following names to the California Commission on Judicial Appointments and they have been appointed to the following Districts & Divisions:
James A. Richman Associate Justice California First Appellate District, Division Two
Iguazio J. Ruvolo Chief Justice California First Appellate District, Division Four
Sandy Kriegler Associate Justice California Second Appellate District, Division Five

Judicial Nominations, Resignations & Confirmations

Resignations:

Judge J. Michael Luttig, announced his resignation from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit on May 10, 2006. Judge Luttig will become the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Boeing Co. Judge Luttig has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for fifteen years. Luttig was on the short-list of possible candidates to serve on the Supreme Court.



The Senate confirmed the following individuals to serve on the district courts:

Brian M. Cogan, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. He will replace retired Judge Frederic Block.

Thomas M. Golden, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He will replace elevated Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen.

President George W. Bush nominated the following attorney to serve as a U.S. Attorney: Charles P. Rosenberg, of Virginia, to be the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia for the term of four years. He will replace Paul J. McNulty.



President George W. Bush also nominated the following individuals for Article III judge positions:

Jerome A. Holmes, of Oklahoma, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Stephanie K. Seymour.

Valerie L. Baker, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. She will replace retired Judge Consuelo B. Marshall.

Judicial Changes

The U.S. Senate confirmed Michael Ryan Barrett to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

The following names were appointed to Federal Judicial positions:

Helen E. Burris was appointed as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of South Carolina, on March 1st. She will replace retired Judge Williams Thurmond Bishop.

Patrick M. Flatley was appointed as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Delaware. He will replace retired Judge L. Edward Friend.

Elevated Judge:

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Barry Schermer, was elevated to Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the Eastern District of Missouri. He will replace retired Judge James J. Barta.

The following Judges took senior status:

U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee took Senior Status from the Southern District of Mississippi.

U.S. District Judge David G. Trager took Senior Status from the Eastern District of New York.

The following Judges retired from the bench:

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James J. Barta retired from the Eastern District of Missouri.

Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge William Thurmond Bishop retired from the District of South Carolina.

Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge L. Edward Friend, II retired from the Northern District of West Virginia.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas M. Twardowski, retired form the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James W. McMahon retired from the Central District of California.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alfred G. Nicols, Jr. retired from the Southern District of Mississippi.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcel C. Notzon retired from the Southern District of Texas.

Judicial Nominations

President George W. Bush submitted the following names for appointment to the Federal Bench.

April 25th
Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood, of Guam, to be Judge for the District Court of Guam for the term of ten years. She will replace Judge John S. Unpingco.

April 24th
Daniel Porter Jordan III, of Mississippi, to be U.S. District Judge for the southern District of Mississippi. He will replace retired Judge Tom S. Lee.
Philip S. Gutierrez, of California, to be U.S. District Jude for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr.
Gustavo Antonio Gelpi, of Puerto Rico, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico. He will replace retired Judge Hector M. Larffitte.
Erik C. Peterson, of Wisconsin, to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. He will replace J.B. Van Hollen.


State Courts:

Kentucky Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert was selected by his colleagues to serve a third four year team as the Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice.

Virginia Chief Justice Walter S. Fenton, Jr. was selected by his colleagues to serve as the new Chief Justice for the Virginia Court of Appeals.

New Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge

Cynthia A. Baldwin was confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Legislature to serve as a Justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme court until January 2008 when the voters of the state will elect a new Supreme Court Justice. Justice Russell M. Nigro was not re-elected in November. Justice Baldwin is 61 and received her JD degree from Duquesne University School of Law. She has stated that she will not run for the 10-year term in 2008.

Senior Judge Dies

Senior Judge Max Rosenn, for the Third Circuit Court died February 7, 2006 at the age of 96. Judge Rosenn was appointed to the bench by President Nixon in 1970. He took Senior Status in 1981. He was a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He was a first lieutenant in the Army from 1944-46. He also served as Assistant District Attorney in Wilkes-Barre and as Pennsylvania 's Secretary of Public Welfare.

Judicial Nominations

President George W. Bush submitted the following names for consideration to the U.S. Senate:

Jerome A. Holmes, of Oklahoma, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma. He will replace Judge Sven E. Holmes who resigned.

Milan D. Smith, Jr., of California, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. He will replace retired Judge A. Wallace Tashima.

Frank D. Whitney, of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. He will replace deceased Judge H. Brent McKnight.

Judicial Nominations

President George W. Bush submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate:

Sandra Segal Ikuta, of California, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. She would replace retired Judge James R. Browning.

Michael Brunson Wallace, of Mississippi, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the fifth Circuit. He would replace retired Judge Charles W. Pickering Sr.

Susan Bieke Neilson, Sixth Circuit Judge died January 24, 2006 of pulmonary failure. She was 49. President George W. Bush nominated Judge Neilson in 2001 and resubmitted her name in 2005. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in October 2005. Judge Neilson received her law degree from Wayne State University School of Law in 1980 and practiced with the law firm of Dickinson Wright, becoming a partner in 1986. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, parents, two brothers and one sister.

New Supreme Court Justice Confirmed

Samuel A. Alito, Jr. was confirmed as the 110th Associate Justice to the Supreme Court. Associate Justice Alito will be sworn in later today, January 31, 2006 before the State of the Union address to be given by President George W. Bush. Associate Justice Alito will replace Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor who retired in July 2005 but was asked to stay on until her successor could be named. Alito received his J.D. degree from Yale Law School in 1975. Alito served on the Third Circuit Court of Appeal since 1990. He is married to Martha-Ann Bomgardner and they have two children. Alito was confirmed on a 58 - 42 vote.

Judicial Nominations And News

The following names were submitted to the U.S. Senate for confirmation by President George W. Bush on January 25, 2006:

Vanessa Lynne Bryant, of Connecticut, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Connecticut. She will replace retire Judge Dominic J. Squatrito.

Renee Marie Bumb. of New Jersey. to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She will replace retired Judge William H. Walls.

Michael A. Chagares, of New Jersey, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the third Circuit. He will replace resigned Judge Michael Chertoff, who is currently Secretary of Homeland Security.

Brian M. Cogan, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. He will replace retired Judge Frederic Block.

Thomas M. Golden, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He will replace elevated Judge Franklin Van Antwerpen.

S. Pamela Gray of the Distinct of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. She will replace retired Judge Susan Rebecca Holmes.

Andrew J. Guilford, of California to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Judge Dickran M. Tevrizian, Jr.

Noel Lawrence Hillman, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She will replace retired Judge William G. Bassler.

Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Laurence H. Silberman.

Gray Hampton Miller, of Texas, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. He will replace retired Judge Ewing Werlein, Jr.

Susan Davis Wigenton, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She will replace retired Judge John W. Bissell

U.S. District Judge Jack Tanner dies at age 86:

Jack Tanner, the first black federal judge in the Northwest, died of cancer Tuesday, January 10, 2006. Judge Tanner took senior status in 1991, but kept working. He was nominated to the bench by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Tanner was known for his civil rights rulings.

Judicial Nominations and a Resignation

Pres. George W. Bush submitted the following names for confirmation in December:

Patrick Joseph Schiltz, of Minnesota, to be US District Judge for the District of Minnesota. He will replace retired Judge Richard H. Kyle.

Jack Zouhary, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. He will replace retired Judge David A. Katz.

Stephen G. Larson, of California, to be of U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Judge Robert J. Timlin.

Terrance P. Flynn, of New York, to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York for the term of four years. He will replace Michael A. Battle.

Norman Randy Smith, of Idaho, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Stephen S. Trott.

Michael Ryan Barrett, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. He will replace retired Judge Walter Herbert Rice.

Reginald I. Lloyd, of South Carolina, to be U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina for the term of Four years. He will replace J. Strom Thurmond.

Resignation Submitted:

Judge James Robertson, submitted his letter of resignation to Chief Justice John G. Robert on December 19, 2005, regarding his position of Judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Judge Robertson is one of eleven judges currently serving on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

Judicial Nomination

Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. is President George W. Bush's current choice for the Supreme Court Associate Justice position. Sandra Day O'Connor will serve on the Supreme Court until her successor is confirmed. Judge Alito is 55 and has served as US Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit since 1990. He worked for the Justice Department in the Reagan administration and served as US Attorney for the District of New Jersey. He received his J.D. degree from Yale Law School in 1975. He is married and has two children. The Alito's are residents of New Jersey.

Supreme Court Nominee Withdraws

Harriet Miers withdrew her name from consideration as the next Associate Justice to the Supreme Court. Harrier Miers was selected by President George W. Bush to succeed Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on October 3rd. Justice O’Connor will retire upon the confirmation of her successor. Harriet Miers will continue to serve as the White House Counsel. President Bush has announced that he will fill the position in a timely manner. There are several names that remain in consideration for the Associate Justice position.

New Supreme Court Nominee

President Bush submitted the name of Harriet E. Miers to the U.S. Senate as the Associate Justice to replace Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Harriet Miers is currently serving as the White House Counsel to the President. Ms. Miers received her J.D. Degree from Southern Methodist University in 1970. She was the first woman elected as president of the Dallas Bar and Texas State Bar Associations. If, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Miers would be the third woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Miers would succeed Sandra Day O'Connor, who is the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, and is retiring. Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will remain on the U.S. Supreme Court until her successor has been confirmed.

JSD New Supreme Court Chief Justice

The US Senate confirmed John Glover Roberts Jr. as the 17th Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court on Thursday, September 29, 2005. Associate Justice John Paul Stevens swore in the new Chief Justice three hours after the Senate voted to confirm Chief Justice Roberts. The Senate voted 78 to 22 to confirm Roberts. The U.S. Supreme court will open its new session on Monday, October 3, 2005.

President George W. Bush submitted the name of George F. Van Tatenhove, of Kentucky to serve as District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, on September 13, 2005 to the U.S. Senate. Upon confirmation he will replace Karl S. Forester who retired.

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist Dies

William H. Rehnquist, the 16th chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, died Saturday evening, September 3, 2005, at the age of eighty. He was appointed Associate Justice by President Richard M. Nixon in 1972 and was elevated to Chief Justice in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan.

He served on the Supreme Court for 33 years, making him one of the longest tenured Associate Justices in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Rehnquist’s court has permitted indirect government funding of religious schools, defined constitutional limits on federal power, paved the way to swifter executions and strengthened the legal position on police. The 16th Chief Justice wanted to reduce the liberal direction the Supreme Court took under the leadership of Chief Justice Earl Warren.

William Rehnquist started his legal career as a young lawyer in Phoenix in 1957. He also served in the Justice Department during the Nixon administration. Rehnquist started his tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court as a lone conservative dissenter on the court, which changed later to a five-justice conservative majority.

President George W. Bush must now replace two justices on the Supreme Court. He is only the third president to name a Chief Justice in the last half-century. Over the Labor Day weekend President Bush, announced his intention to nominate John G. Roberts Jr. as the 17th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Roberts was initially nominated to replace Sandra Day O’Connor as Associate Justice in July.

The President has indicated that he will not name another nominee for Associate Justice to the Supreme Court until the Chief Justice position has been filled. Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will remain on the bench until her successor is confirmed by the Senate, which is unlikely to happen before the Supreme Court convenes in October. This will enable the Court to begin deliberations on October 3, 2005 with the full compliment of Associate Justices assuming that Judge Roberts is confirmed by the end of September.

If the U.S. Senate does not confirm a Chief Justice by October 3, 2005, Associate Justice John Paul Stevens would assume the responsibilities of Chief Justice, including the administrative duties, until a Chief Justice is confirmed.

Supreme Court Nominee

On Tuesday, July 19, 2005 President George W. Bush announced his intention to nominate John G Roberts Jr. for the Supreme Court Associate Justice the seat currently held by Sandra Day O’Connor. Associate Justice O’Connor submitted her resignation to President George W. Bush on July 1, 2005. Judge Roberts has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia since 2003. It appears that, Judge Roberts is held as a well–regarded conservative litigator by friends from both parties.

Judge Roberts, a resident of Maryland, was one of William H. Rehnquist law clerks in 1980-1981 before Rehnquist was elevated to Chief Justice. John Roberts’ is a native of New York where he was also a law clerk for Second Circuit US Appeals, Judge Henry J. Friendly. Judge Roberts is expected to move the court further to the right. President George W. Bush interviewed five candidates before deciding to nominate Judge Roberts. Judge Roberts received his JD from the Harvard University School Law.

For additional biographical information on Judge Roberts please visit the JSD website.

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner Announces Retirement

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, 75, announced Friday, July 1, 2005 that she will retire from the Supreme Court. Justice O'Connor was appointed in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan ending 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. Justice O'Connor's resignation will give President George W. Bust the opportunity to make his first appointment to the high court. Justice Stephen Breyer was the last Justice confirmed on July, 1994 to the Supreme Court. Justice O'Connor will remain on the court until her successor has been nominated and confirmed. There are fifty-six Senators including nine senators now serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee who were not serving in the US Senate when the last Supreme Court Justice was confirmed.

Judicial News And Appointments

The Georgia Supreme Court appointed Justice Leah Ward Sears as the new Supreme Court Chief Justice. Chief Justice Sears is the first African American woman to serve as Chief Justice for the states highest court. The 50 year old native Savannahian was installed on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 where US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was among the invited guests. Chief Justice Sears was initially appointed by Gov. Zell Miller in 1992. Upon her appointment she became the first woman and the youngest person ever to serve on the Georgia Supreme Court. She is the second African American to serve as Georgia's Chief Justice to the Supreme Court, the first African American was Justice Robert Benham who served from 1995 to 2001. Justice Benham is still serving on the Georgia Supreme Court.

John Roach was appointed by Gov Ernie Flectcher to serve on the Kentucky Supreme Court. Justice Roach took his oath of office on Tuesday, June 28, 2005. The appointment will last until the next special election next November to serve the remaining two-year term. Justice Roach was the only one of three nominees without judicial experience. One other nominee is planning to also run in the special election in November.

Judicial Appointments

The US Senate confirmed the Texas State Supreme Court Justice Priscilla R. Owen to the Fifth Circuit US Court of Appeals. Circuit Court Judge Owen is only the fifth Judge to be confirmed by the 109th Congress.

US District Judge Joseph M. Hood, for the Eastern District Of Kentucky, was elevated to Chief Judge. Chief Judge Hoods succeeded Us District Judge Karl S. Forester.

Magistrate Appointments

The following judges have been appointed as Magistrate Judges to the District Courts:

Hector C. Estrada, was appointed to the US District Court for the District of Arizona on April 4th.

Jennifer C. Guerin, was appointed to the US District Court for the District of Arizona on April 4th.

M. Hannah Lauck, was appointed to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on May 1st.

William P. Lynch, was appointed to the US District Court for the District of New Mexico on April 21st.

Brian L. Owsley was appointed to the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas on May 9th.

Leo T. Sorokin, was appointed to the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts on April 11th.

David R. Strawbridge, was appointed to the US District for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on April 25th.

Retired Judges

The following judges took retired from the US Courts:

US Magistrate Judge David G. Lowe, retired from the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on May 3rd.

US Bankruptcy Judge Cornelius Blackshear, retired from the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on March 31st.

Senior Status

The following judge took senior status form the US District Court

Chief US District Judge Karl S. Forester, took senior status from the US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky of May 2nd.

Deceased Judges

Senior Judge Harry H. MacLaughlin, died May 3rd. He was a Senior Judge for the US District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Senior Judge Walter Jay Skinner, died May 7th. He was a Senior Judge for the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Judicial Appointments And Announcements

The Senate Confirmed the following Judges:

Paul A. Crotty, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York, April 11, 2005

J. Michael Seabright, to be US District Judge for the District of Hawaii, April 27, 2005

James C. Dever III, to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, April 28, 2005

Robert J. Conrad, Jr., to be US District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, April 28, 2005

Third Branch Announcements

Magistrate Judge Appointments

Mark E. Aspey was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the US District Court of Arizona on March 18, 2005.

Peter E. Ormsby was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas on February 28, 2005.

Timothy R. Rice was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge, for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on March 21, 2005.

The following Judges were elevated to Chief Judge:

Claire V. Eagan was elevated to Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, succeeding Chief Judge Sven Holmes on March 14, 2005.

Steven V. Callaway was elevated to Chief Judge of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. He succeeds Gerald H. Schiff on February 2, 2005

Jo Ann Stevenson was elevated to Chief Judge of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan. She succeeds James D. Gregg on March 1, 2005.

The following Judges took Senior Status:

Judge William G. Bassler, from the US District Court for the District of New Jersey on March 6, 2005.

Judge Charles R. Butler, Jr. from the US District Court for the Southern District of Alabama on March 28, 2005.

Judge Franklin D. Burgess, from the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, March 9, 2005.

Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr., from the US District Court for the Central District of California on April 22, 2005.

Judge Howard D. McKibben, from the US District Court for the District of Nevada on April 1, 2005.

Judge C. Roger Vinson, from the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida, on March 31, 2005.

The following Judges Retired:

Judge Lourdes G. Baird, US District Court for the Central District of California on April 15, 2005.

Judge David Warner Hagen, US District Court for the District of Nevada on March 31, 2005.

Judge Thomas E. Baynes, US District Court for the Middle District of Florida on March 19, 2005.

Judge James C. Carruth, US District Court for the District of Arizona on March 30, 2005.

Magistrate Judge Nancy Fiora, US District Court for the District of Arizona on March 1, 2005.

The following Judges Resigned:

Chief Judge Sven Erik Holmes, US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma on March 13, 2005.

Judge Richard W. Peterson, US District Court for the Southern District of Iowa on March 2, 2005.

Magistrate Judge Stephen L. Verkamp, US District Court for the District of Arizona on March 1, 2005.

The following Judges died:

March 5, 2005, Senior Judge James M. Kelly, US District Court for the Eastern District of Philadelphia died

March 1, 2005, Senior Judge Robert G. Renner, US District Court for the District of Minnesota.

March 15, 2005, Magistrate Judge Aaron Simon Chrein, US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

February 20, 2005, Magistrate Judge James M. Robb, US District Court for the District of Colorado.

Judicial Announcements

Third Branch Announcements:

The following Judges were appointed:

Russell F. Nelms was appointed to the US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas on November 22nd.

Charles S. Miller, Jr. was appointed US Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi on November 15th.

James G. Welsh was appointed Us Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Virginia on November 16th.

The following Judges took Senior Status in November:

Walter Herbert Rice, US District judge for the Southern District of Ohio took senior status on November 30th.

Dominic J. Squatrito, US District Judge for the District of Connecticut took senior status on November 1st.

The following Judge retired:

Dwight C. H. Kautzmann US Magistrate Judge for the District of North Dakota retired on November 1st.

Deceased Judges:

Senior Judge Robert B. Krupansky, for the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit died November 8th.

Senior Judge A. Andrew Hauk, for the US District Court of the Central District of California died November 9th.

Judge H. Brent McKnight, for the US District Court of the Western District of North Carolina died November 27th.

Judicial Election Results And Appointments

President George W. Bush nominated the following individuals to the District of Columbia Courts:

Jennifer M. Anderson, of the District of Columbia, to be Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. She will replace retired Judge Steffen W. Graae.

A. Noel Anketell Kramer, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. She will replace retired Judge John Montague Steadman.

Election Results For State Courts

Alabama Supreme Court

Tom Parker

Alabama Court of Civil Appeals

Mike Bolin

Tommy Bryant

Patti Smith

Idaho Supreme Court

Jim Jones

Kansas Court of Appeals

Jefferson D. Hughes

Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit

Jimmy Genovese

John David Painter

Mississippi Supreme Court

James E. Graves (Appointed by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove 11/2001)

Nevada Supreme Court

James Hardsty

Ron Parraguirre

Ohio Court of Appeals, 1st District

Sylvia Sieve Hendon

Washington Supreme Court

Jim Johnson

Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District One

Joan F. Kessler

Judicial Appointments And Confirmations

Third Branch Announcements

APPOINTMENTS

Stephen W. Smith was appointed as US Magistrate Judge for the District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

SENIOR STATUS

US District Judge Harold Baer, Jr. took Senior Status from the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Chief Judge James L. Graham took Senior Status from the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

ELEVATED

Judge Sandra S. Beckwith was elevated to Chief Judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. She will replace Judge James L. Graham who took Senior Status.

RETIRED

US Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lovegreen retired from the US District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

RESIGNED

US Magistrate Judge Tracy L. Klingler resigned form the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

MARRIED

Fifth Circuit US Court of Appeals Chief Judge Carolyn Dineen King married Senior US Court of Appeals Judge Thomas M. Reavley.

Judicial Appointments

President George W. Bush submitted the name of J. Michael Seabright, of Hawaii, to be US District Judge for the District of Hawaii. He will replace retired Judge Alan C. Kay. President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the US Senate for a District Judge position:

Federal Judge Dies President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the US Senate for a District Judge position:

Judge Renaldo Guerra Garza died September 14, 2004. Judge Garza was the first Mexican American to serve as Federal district court judge and a Federal appellate judge on the fifth circuit. Judge Garza retired from active service in 1982, when he took senior status. President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the US Senate for a District Judge position:

State Courts President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the US Senate for a District Judge position:

President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the US Senate for a District Judge position:

Wallace B. Jefferson, was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. Justice Jefferson will replace Tom Phillips, who stepped down earlier this month after nearly 17 years as chief justice. Justice Jefferson became the state of Texas first Black Supreme Court Justice. Gov. Rick Perry, appointed Jefferson to replace Tom Phillips. The governor's appointment of Jefferson is subject to approval by the Texas Senate after it convenes in January for its regular biennial session, but Jefferson will hold the job in the meantime.

Judicial Nominations & Confirmations

President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the US Senate for a District Judge position:

Paul A. Crotty of New York, was nominated to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He will replace Harold Baer, Jr. who is retiring.

The US Senate confirmed the following names to be US District Judges:

Michael H. Watson, of Ohio, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

Virginia Maria Hernandez Covington, of Florida, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida.

Michael H. Schneider, Sr., of Texas, to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas.

Judicial Confirmations/Resignations/Deceased Judge

The following nominees were confirmed by the US Senate on June 23rd.

Walter Kelley, of Virginia, to be US District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Juan Sanchez, of Pennsylvania, to be US District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The following nominees were confirmed by the US Senate on June 24th.

William Benton, to be US Circuit Court Judge for the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Peter Hall, to be US Circuit Court Judge for the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Robert Harwell, of South Carolina, to be US District Court Judge for the District of South Carolina.

Dora Irizarry, of New York, to be US District Court Judge for the Eastern District of New York.

George Schiavelli, of California, to be US District Court Judge for the Central District of California.

Diane S. Sykes, of Wisconsin, to be US Circuit Court Judge for the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Judge Sykes was serving on the Wisconsin Supreme Court prior to her confirmation as a US Circuit Court Judge.

The following nominee was confirmed on July 6th.

Leon J. Holmes to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

The following nominee was confirmed on July 22, 2004:

John O. Colvin, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.

Information from the Third Branch

The following individuals were appointed as Magistrate Judges:

James Orenstein, as US Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York on June 16th.

Elizabeth M. Timothy, as US Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Florida on June 10th.

The following Judges took senior Status:

A. Wallace Tashima, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, on June 30th.

John L. Coffey, US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on July 2nd.

The following Magistrate Judges resigned:



Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. for the Western District of North Carolina on June 25th.

Judge Joseph W. Miller, for the District of Alaska on June 1, 2004.

Deceased Judges:



Senior Judge Elizabeth V. Hallanan, for the Southern District of West Virginia on June 8th.

Senior Judge Whitman Knappp, for the Southern District of New York.

Judicial Appointments

The US Senate confirmed the following Article III Judge:

J. Leon Holmes, of Arkansas, for the Eastern District of Arkansas

President George W. Bush submitted the following name to the US Senate:

Keith Starrett, of Mississippi, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. He will replace Charles W. Pickering, Sr. who received a recess appointment from President George W. Bush to serve as Circuit Court Judge on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals until the new Congress takes office in 2005.

State News

Two Supreme Court Justices will retire from the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Justice Ralph Hodges, announced his plans to retire from the Supreme Court effective September 1, 2004 to Governor Brad Henry on July 8, 2004. Justice Hodges is 73 and has served more than 45 years on the Oklahoma's judiciary. He has served on the Supreme Court since 1965 under the appointment of former Gov. Henry Bellmon. At age 34, he was the youngest member to serve on the Supreme Court of Oklahoma's since statehood.

Justice Daniel J. Boudreau, 57 announced his plans to retire after five years on the highest court of the state. Justice Boudreau has accepted a teaching position at the University of Tulsa College of Law. Justice Boudreau serves the Sixth Supreme Court Judicial District, which comprises Tulsa County.

US Senate Confirms Three

The US Senate confirmed the following Article III Judges:

James L. Robart, of Washington, to be US District Judge for the Western District.

Roger T. Benitez, of California, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of California.

Jane J. Boyle, of Texas, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Texas.

Judicial Nominations And News

President George W. Bush submitted the following names to the Senate:

Thomas B. Griffith, of Utah, to be US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Patricia M. Wald.

John O. Colvin, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the US Tax Court for a term of fifteen years. This is a reappointment.

Michael H. Schneider, Sr. of Texas, to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas. He will replace deceased Judge John H. Hannah.

State News:

New Hampshire

Governor Craig Benson of New Hampshire nominated, John Broderick on May 5, 2004, to be the next Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Associate Justice Broderick has served on the Supreme Court since 1995. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Virginia Law School.

New Jersey

Appellate Division Chief Justice Deborah T. Portiz announced the elevation of Five Superior Court judges to the Appellate Division to be effective August 1, 2004. Judge Joseph A. Falcone was first appointed to the bench in 1986 by Gov. Thomas H. Kean. Judge Falcone has a B.A. from Rutgers University, New Grunswick and a JD from Rutgers University School of Law, Camden.

Judge Jane Grall is currently the president judge of the Family Division in Mercer Vicinage. She was appointed by Gov. Christine Todd Whitman. Judge Grall holds a JD degree from Rutgers University school of Law, Camden.

Judge Ronald B. Graves currently sits in the Civil Division in the Morris/Sussex Vicinage. He was first appointed to the bench by Gov. Thomas H. Kean. He holds a JD degree from Rutgers University School of Law, Newark.

Judge John S. Holston Jr., who currently sits in the Family Division in the Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Vicinage. He has served on the bench since 1984 when he was appointed by Gov. Thomas H. Kean.

Judge Joseph L. Yannotti has served in the Civil Division of the Bergen Vicinage since his appointment by G. Christine Todd Whitman in 1999. He earned his JD degree from Syracuse University College of Law.

Judicial Announcements From The President And Senate

President George W. Bush has submitted the following names to the Senate:

William Duane Benton, of Missouri, to be US Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Theodore McMillian.

The Senate confirmed the following Article III Judge:

Mark R. Filip, of Illinois, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

Presidential Recess Appointment

President George W. Bush appointed William H. Pryor, Jr., of Alabama, to the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on February 20, 2004. Bill Pryor served as the Attorney General of Alabama since 1997. This is a recess appointment; Judge Pryor's name will be resubmitted to the next 109th Congress for confirmation.

New Presiding Magistrate Judge

Magistrate Judge Morton Denlow has been named presiding magistrate judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Denlow succeeds Judge Arlander Keys, who held the post since 1998. Judge Denlow will help coordinate joint activities of the magistrate judges and act as a liaison to the District Court and Administrative Office of the US Courts. Judge Denlow as first appointed as US magistrate Judge in 1996. He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law.