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Reports on Confirmed Nominees
See below for Alliance for Justice reports on confirmed nominees.
Robert E. Bacharach - CONFIRMED
On January 23, 2012, President Obama nominated Judge Robert E. Bacharach to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Judge Bacharach currently serves as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, where he has sat since 1999. President Obama has said that “I am confident Judge Robert E. Bacharach…will serve the American people with integrity and distinction."... Read More »
Richard G. Taranto - CONFIRMED
On November 10, 2011, President Obama nominated Richard Gary Taranto, born in 1957, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Taranto is presently a named partner at the law firm of Farr & Taranto. President Obama has said that “Richard Taranto is a lawyer of exceptional legal ability and great personal and professional integrity. I am pleased and honored to nominate him to the U.S. Court of Appeals to the Federal Circuit, and I am confident that his intelligence, independence, judgment, and temperament will make him a welcome addition to that court."... Read More »
William J. Kayatta - CONFIRMED
On January 23, 2012, President Obama nominated William J. Kayatta, Jr. to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Kayatta is currently a partner at Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland, Maine. President Obama has said that “I am confident . . . William J. Kayatta will serve the American people with integrity and distinction.” Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) have also spoken strongly in support of Kayatta’s nomination.... Read More »
Andrew D. Hurwitz - CONFIRMED
On November 2, 2011, President Obama nominated Justice Andrew Hurwitz to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Justice Hurwitz currently sits as Vice-Chief Justice on the Arizona Supreme Court, a seat to which Governor Napolitano appointed him in 2003, and which he retained in the 2006 general election. President Obama has said that “Justice Hurwitz has proven himself to be not only a first-rate legal mind but a faithful public servant,” stating that it is with “full confidence in his ability, integrity, and independence that I nominate him to the bench of the United States Court of Appeals.”... Read More »
Paul Watford - CONFIRMED
On October 27, 2011 President Obama nominated Paul Watford to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Watford is currently a partner in the Los Angeles office of Munger, Tolles and Olson, LLP. Paul Watford was born in 1967 in Garden Grove, California. He received his B.A. from University of California at Berkeley in 1989 and his J.D. from University of California at Los Angeles in 1994 where he received the Order of Coif and was editor of the law review. Prior to attending law school he worked as a legal interviewer with the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Lawyer Referral Services.... Read More »
Jacqueline H. Nguyen - CONFIRMED
On September 22, 2011, President Obama nominated Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen, born in 1965, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Nguyen currently sits on the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California, a seat to which she was unanimously confirmed by a Senate vote of 97-0 on December 1, 2009. President Obama has said, "Judge Nguyen has been a trailblazer, displaying an outstanding commitment to public service throughout her career," stating that he is "honored to nominate her . . . for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals and confident she will serve the American people with fairness and integrity."... Read More »
Adalberto Jose Jordan - CONFIRMED
On August 2, 2011, President Obama nominated Judge Adalberto José Jordán, age 49, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Judge Jordan is currently serving as a District Judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. President Obama has said that Judge Jordan “will bring an unwavering commitment to fairness and judicial integrity to the federal bench,” noting that “his impressive legal career is a testament to the kind of thoughtful and diligent judge he will be on the Eleventh Circuit." The seat that he would fill has been designated a “judicial emergency” by the Administrative Offices of the U. S. Courts; it has been vacant since the retirement of Judge Susan H. Black on February 25, 2011.... Read More »
Stephanie Dawn Thacker - CONFIRMED
On September 8, 2011, President Obama nominated Stephanie Dawn Thacker, age 46, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Ms. Thacker, who specializes in complex litigation, environmental and toxic tort litigation, and criminal defense, is a partner at the Charleston, West Virginia, law firm of Guthrie & Thomas PLLC and teaches a course in Trial Advocacy as an adjunct professor at the West Virginia University School of Law. President Obama has said that Ms. Thacker “will be a diligent, judicious and esteemed addition to the Fourth Circuit bench,” stating that she “has displayed exceptional dedication to the legal profession through her work and I am honored to nominate her to serve the American people as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals.”... Read More »
Morgan Christen - CONFIRMED
On May 18, 2011, President Obama nominated Alaska Supreme Court Justice Morgan Christen to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In announcing her nomination, President Obama described Justice Christen as an “outstanding candidate” for the position. Justice Christen was born in 1961 in Chehalis, Washington. She received her B.A. in 1983 from the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, also taking time to study abroad at the American College of Switzerland (Leysin, Switzerland), Richmond College (London, England), and Nanjing University (Nanjing, China). In 1986 she received her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law, receiving the school’s American Jurisprudence Awards in Constitutional Law and in Evidence. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Judicial Studies from The National Judicial College.... Read More »
Evan J. Wallach - CONFIRMED
On July 28, 2011, President Obama nominated Judge Evan Wallach, age 62, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Judge Wallach is currently a judge on the United States Court of International Trade. President Obama, noting Judge Wallach’s “distinguished . . . legal career in both the public and private sectors,” has said that Judge Wallach “possesses a keen intellect and a commitment to fairness and integrity that will serve him well as a judge on the Federal Circuit.”... Read More »
Stephen Higginson - CONFIRMED
On May 5, 2011, President Obama nominated Stephen Higginson to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Currently, Mr. Higginson serves both as an Assistant United States Attorney and as an Associate Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. President Obama stated that Higginson’s “legal and academic credentials are impressive and his commitment to judicial integrity is unwavering. I am confident he will serve the American people with distinction.”... Read More »
Bernice Bouie Donald - CONFIRMED
On December 1, 2010, President Obama nominated Judge Bernice Bouie Donald, age 60, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge Donald is currently a United States District Judge in the Western District of Tennessee. She has been a federal judge for more than 20 years, and has almost 30 years of judicial experience. Judge Donald was elected to her first judicial position as a judge in the criminal division of the Court of General Sessions in Shelby County in 1982, making her the first female African-American judge in Tennessee history.... Read More »
Thomas I. Vanaskie - CONFIRMED
Thomas I. Vanaskie has been a judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania since 1994, and from 1999 to 2006 he served as the district's chief judge. On August 7, 2009, President Obama nominated Judge Vanaskie to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. A lifelong Pennsylvanian, Judge Vanaskie graduated from Lycoming College in 1975 and from Dickinson School of Law in 1978. After law school, he clerked for United States District Judge William Joseph Nealon Jr. on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Following his clerkship, Judge Vanaskie worked in private practice in Scranton, first at Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish, & Kauffman and then at Elliott, Vanaskie & Riley, from 1980 until he took his federal district court seat in 1994. Judge Vanaskie's Pennsylvania ties connect him with... Read More »
Susan Carney - CONFIRMED
On May 20, 2010, President Obama nominated Susan L. Carney, age 52, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Ms. Carney currently serves as Deputy General Counsel in the Office of General Counsel, Yale University, specializing in international affiliations and transactions, scientific research, international property, technology transfer and compliance. President Obama remarked upon her nomination that, “[a]t every step of her career,Susan Carney has performed with excellence and unwavering integrity. I am confident she will serve the people of Connecticut with distinction on the Circuit Court Bench."... Read More »
Scott M. Matheson, Jr. - CONFIRMED
On March 3, 2010, President Obama nominated Scott M. Matheson, Jr. to a seat on theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. In announcing the nomination, Obama saidthat Matheson’s “legal and academic credentials are impressive and his commitment to judicialintegrity is unwavering.” Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said that he was “pleased” with thenomination and that he has “known Scott a long time, and he is a capable, bright attorney whoseexperience has prepared him for judicial service.” Hatch also said that he would help“shepherd” Matheson through the confirmation process.3If confirmed, Matheson would fill oneof two Tenth Circuit seats historically filled by Utahns.... Read More »
Raymond Joseph Lohier, Jr. - CONFIRMED
On March 10, 2010, President Obama nominated Raymond J. Lohier, Jr., age 44, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Lohier currently serves as Special Counsel to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He has extensive experience in representing the government in securities fraud, insider trading, ponzi schemes, and commodities fraud. President Obama has said that Mr. Lohier will bring "an unwavering commitment to fairness and judicial integrity to the federal bench," and that his impressive legal career is "a testament to the kind of thoughtful and diligent judge[]" that he will be if confirmed.... Read More »
O. Rogeriee Thompson - CONFIRMED
President Obama has nominated Rhode Island Superior Court Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson to replace Senior Judge Bruce M. Selya on the First Circuit Court of Appeals. If confirmed, Judge Thompson will be the first African American and the second woman to serve on the First Circuit. Judge Thompson, 58, grew up in South Carolina. Her great-grandfather owned a plantation and bought her great-grandmother at a slave auction. They later fell in love and started a family. Judge Thompson attended Pembroke College, the female college of Brown University, and graduated from Brown after the two schools merged. She graduated from Boston University Law School. Following law school, Judge Thompson returned to Rhode Island, first working as an attorney at Rhode Island Legal Services and later opening a law firm in South Providence. In 1988, Judge Thompson was the first African-American woman named to the state District Court, and in 1997 she... Read More »
Mary Murguia - CONFIRMED
Judge Murguia attended the University of Kansas, where she received both a B.A. and a B.S. in 1982. Following college, she remained at the University of Kansas for law school, receiving her J.D. in 1985. Since then, Murguia has devoted her entire career to public service. In 1998, she was selected to serve in the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, rising to become Director in 1999. In 2000, President Clinton nominated her to a newly created seat in the District of Arizona, and upon her confirmation later that year she became the first Latina to serve as a federal judge in the history of Arizona. She was nominated by President Obama to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on March 25, 2010.... Read More »
Kathleen McDonald O'Malley - CONFIRMED
On March 10, 2010, President Obama nominated Judge Kathleen (“Kate”) M. O’Malley, age 53, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. O’Malley has served as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio since 1994, during which time she has presided over approximately 4,000 civil and 800 criminal cases, including a number of patent and intellectual-property cases. Prior to joining the bench, O’Malley’s private practice focused on intellectual property litigation. In announcing her nomination, President Obama said that “Kate O’Malley will . . . bring an unwavering commitment to fairness and judicial integrity to the federal bench. . . . [Her] impressive legal career [is] a testament to the kind of thoughtful and diligent judge [she] will be on the . . . Federal Circuit[]. I am honored to nominate [her] today." » Read AFJ's report (pdf) on Kathleen O'Malley... Read More »
Joseph A. Greenaway - CONFIRMED
President Obama has nominated Joseph A. Greenaway, United States District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey, to fill the seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit that has been vacant since Justice Samuel Alito was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2005. The Third Circuit covers the federal districts within New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.... Read More »
Jimmy V. Reyna - CONFIRMED
On September 29, 2010, President Obama nominated Jimmie V. Reyna, age 58, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Mr. Reyna currently serves as a partner and director at Williams, Mullin P.C., in Washington, D.C. He is a leading international trade attorney who has significant experience in trade policy, business regulation, and compliance law. If confirmed, Mr. Reyna would become the first Hispanic ever to serve on the Federal Circuit. President Obama has said that Mr. Reyna has "performed with excellence and unwavering integrity" at every step of his career... Read More »
Jane Branstetter Stranch - CONFIRMED
On August 7, 2009, President Obama nominated Jane Branstetter Stranch to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Stranch is the managing partner of the Nashville law firm Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings PLLC. She has extensive experience in civil litigation, specializing in labor and employment, and securities law. Stranch is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. She was among the first women admitted to the University of Virginia. She later transferred to Vanderbilt University, where she obtained her B.A., summa cum laude, in 1975. She graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School, Order of the Coif, in 1978.... Read More »
James E. Graves - CONFIRMED
On June 10, 2010, President Obama nominated James E. Graves, b. 1953, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Graves has served as a judge in Mississippi since 1991, sitting first for 10 years on the Hinds County Circuit Court and subsequently on the state Supreme Court, first as an associate justice and now as a presiding justice. He is the only African American currently serving on the state Supreme Court.... Read More »
James A. Wynn - CONFIRMED
On November 4, 2009, President Obama nominated North Carolina state court judge James A. Wynn to serve on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. President Obama noted that Judge Wynn has been an "exceptional public servant[] for the people of North Carolina," and that his "distinguished judicial career[] leave[s] no doubt that [he] will be [an] esteemed addition[] to the Fourth Circuit." Since 1990, with the exception of two years as a temporary appointee to the North Carolina Supreme Court, Judge Wynn has served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the state's intermediate appellate court. Prior to taking the bench, he worked as an appellate public defender and in private practice. Judge Wynn is also a certified Military Trial Judge and a Captain in the United States Navy Reserves and formerly served on active duty in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps from 1979 to 1983. He... Read More »
Gerard Lynch - CONFIRMED
Gerard Lynch is nominated to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He is currently a judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Judge Lynch also hold an endowed chair at Columbia Law School.... Read More »
Denny Chin - CONFIRMED
On October 6, 2009, President Obama nominated Southern District of New York federal judge Denny Chin to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. President Obama said Judge Chin "displayed exceptional dedication to public service throughout [his] career[]," and noted his record of "serv[ing] on the bench with distinction in New York." AFJ's in-depth review of his record shows Judge Chin to be a fair minded jurist, who exercises great care and a keen attention to detail when deciding cases. He is committed to upholding the Constitution's promise of equal justice for all, not a select few. Judge Chin, an immigrant from Hong Kong who moved to the United States when he was two years old, grew up in New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood where his mother worked as a seamstress and his father as a cook in Chinese restaurants.... Read More »
Beverly Martin - CONFIRMED
President Obama has nominated Beverly B. Martin, U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, to fill a vacancy on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers the federal districts within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.... Read More »
Barbara Milano Keenan - CONFIRMED
On September 14, 2009, President Obama nominated Barbara Milano Keenan, a Justice on the Virginia Supreme Court, to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers the federal districts within Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Nominations to the federal courts of appeal are significant for obvious reasons, but the Fourth Circuit is unique. The Court has heard a significant number of cases involving the scope of executive power. And, a large number of civil rights claims related to race, gender, and employment discrimination are litigated within its districts. Although the Court has long been considered a bastion of ultraconservatism, after a series of departures it is now more evenly split. Thus, single additions to the bench—including Judge Keenan’s—will very likely impact the Court’s overall jurisprudential leanings.... Read More »
Andre Davis - CONFIRMED
Andre Davis is nominated to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He is currently a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Judge Davis was nominated to this seat previously by President Bill Clinton, but the Republican-controlled Senate failed to act on his nomination.... Read More »
Alberto Diaz - CONFIRMED
Alberto Diaz is currently a Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases in North Carolina, where he has served since 2005. On November 4, 2009, President Obama nominated Judge Diaz to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals stating, Judge Diaz has " been [an] exceptional public servant[] for the people of North Carolina and I am honored to nominate [him] today to serve from the federal bench." Judge Diaz was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1960. He attended the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and received a B.S. in Economics in 1983. Diaz received his J.D. from New York University in 1988. While there, he received the Moot Court Advocacy Award, and was the Senior Casebook Editor of the Moot Court Board. The next year, he enrolled in Boston University, later earning a Masters' in Business Education there in 1993.... Read More »
David Hamilton - CONFIRMED
President Barack Obama has nominated United States District Court Judge David Hamilton to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Judge Hamilton has an exemplary record in the law, sterling credentials and bipartisan support from both of his home state senators.... Read More »
