Judge Mary Little Cooper, took Senior Status effective August 31, 2011, on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Judge Donald W. Molloy, took Senior Status effective August 16, 2011,on the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Judge Michael A. Posnor, took Senior Status effective August 15, 2011, on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Judge Barbara Jacobs Rothstein, took Senior Status effective September 1, 2011, on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Judge Shira Ann Scheindlin, took Senior Status effective August 16, 2011, on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Retired Judges:

Judge Randolph Baxter retired from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio effective August 15, 2011.

Judge Jerome B. Friedman retired from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia effective August 19, 2011.

Senior Judge Nancy Gertner, retired from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts effective September 1, 2011.

Chief Judge William A. Hill retired from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of North Dakota effective August 21, 2011.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Earl S. Hines retired for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas effective August 1, 2011.

Deceased Judges:

Senior Judge Glenn L. Archer Jr. died July 27, 2011. He served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Senior Judge Ira DeMent died July 16, 2011. He served on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

Senior Judge Terrence T. Evans died August 10, 2011. He served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Senior Judge Daniel M. Friedman died July 6, 2011. He served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Senior Judge William L. Garwood died July 14, 2011. Her served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Senior Judge Malcolm Muir died July 22, 2011. He served on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Senior Judge Matthew J. Perry, Jr. died July 29, 2011. He served on the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Senior Judge G. Ernest Tidwell died August 4, 2011. He served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Chief Judge Ralph E. Tyson died July 18, 2011. He served on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals to serve as Article III Judges on August 2, 2011:

Sara Lynn Darrow, of Illinois, to be U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. She replaces retired Senior Judge Billy McDade. Richard B. Jackson, of Colorado, to be U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court of Colorado. He replaces deceased Judge Phillip S. Figa.

Kathleen M. Williams, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She replaces retired Senior Judge Daniel T. Hurley.

Nelva Gonzales Ramos, of Texas, to be U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She replaces retired Senior Judge Hayden W. Head, Jr.

The U.S. Senate also confirmed the following Judges for a fifteen year term on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia:

Jennifer A. Di Toro, of the District of Columbia, to serve as Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Yvonne M. Williams, of the District of Columbia, to serve as Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

President Obama nominated the following names to the serve as Judges on August 2, 2011:

Margaret Barley, of Maryland, to be a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals or the Veterans Claims for a term of fifteen years. This is a new position approved by Public Law 110-389.

Gloria Wilson Shelton, of Maryland to be a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for a term of fifteen years. This is a new position approved by Public Law 110-389.

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as Article III Judges on August 2, 2011:

Miranda Du, of Nevada, to be U.S. District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. She will replace retired Senior Judge Roger L. Hunt.

Adalberto Jose Jordan of Florida to be U.S. Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He will replace retired Senior Judge Susan H. Black.

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as Article III Judges on July 28, 2011:

Evan J. Wallach, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He will replace retired Senior Judge Arthur Gajarsa.

Ronnie Abrams, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. He will replace retired Senior Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.

Rudolph Contreras, of Virginia, to be U.S. District Judge on the U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He will replace retired Senior Ricardo M. Urbina.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals to serve as Judges on July 26, 2011:

Paul A. Engelmayer, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He replaces elevated Judge Gerard Lynch.

Ramona V. Manglona of the Northern Mariana Islands to be Judge for the U.S. Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. She replaced retired Judge Alex R. Munson.

President Obama nominated the following individual to serve as an Article III Judge on July 20, 2011:

Michael W. Fitzgerald, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He will replace retired Senior Judge A. Howard Matz.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following Judge on July 18, 2011:

J. Paul Oetken, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He replaces elevated Judge Denny Chin.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Oregon State Court Changes

Ellen F. Rosenblum Retires

Ellen F. Rosenblum retired from the Oregon Court of Appeals in May 1, 2011. Associate Judge Rosenblum was appointed to the Court of Appeals June 2, 2005 by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. She also served as Judge for the Multnomah County Circuit court. She also served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Icon Betty Roberts Dies

Betty Roberts died on June 25, 2011 at the age of 88. Judge Roberts was the first Woman serving on the Oregon Appellate Courts. Roberts won election to the Oregon House of Representatives where she served for two terms as the lone female. She then won a seat to the Oregon Senate as again the lone woman in 1968. She was appointed by Gov. Straub to the newly established Oregon Court of Appeals in 1977 as the first female to ever serve on the appellate bench. Gov. Atiyed appointed her as the first female to the Oregon Supreme Court in 1982 where she held the position until 1986. She was the recipient of numerous awards.

Friday, May 20, 2011

The following names were submitted to the U.S. Senate by President Barak Obama to serve as Article III Judges on May 19, 2011:

Andrew L. Carter, of New York, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the southern District of New York. He will replace retired Senior Judge Victor Marrero.

James R. Gilstrap, of Texas, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. He will replace retired Judge Thad Heartfield.

Gina Marie Groh, of West Virginia, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. She will replace deceased Judge W. Craig Broadwater.

The following name was submitted to the U.S. Senate by President Barak Obama to serve as an Article III Judge on May 18, 2011:

Morgan Christen, of Alaska, to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. He would replace retired Senior Judge Andrew J. Kleinfeld.

Friday, May 20, 2011

The U.S. Senate confirmed Circuit Court Judge:

Susan L. Carney, of Connecticut was confirmed as a Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit on May 17, 2011. She replaces retired Senior Judge Barrington D. Parker, Jr.

The following individuals were appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts:

Timothy W. Dore, of Washington was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington on April 4, 2011.

Sandra R. Klein, of California, was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California on April 22, 2011.

William J. Lafferty, III, of California was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California on April 20, 2011.

David E. Rice, of Maryland was appointed Judge to the U.S Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland on April 1, 2011.

The following individual were appointed to the U.S. Magistrate Courts:

Stephanie A. Gallagher, of Maryland was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on April 18, 2011.

Richard L. Puglisi, of New Mexico was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii on April 1, 2011. Prior to that he had served as U.S. Magistrate Chief Judge for the District of New Mexico.

Sheri N. Pym, of California was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on April 18, 2011.

Michael R. Wilner, of California was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on April 1, 2011.

Senior Status:

Ortia D. Smith, of Missouri took Senior Status on April 30, 2011 from the Western District of Missouri Court.

The following two individuals were elevated:

Judge Carol Bagley Amon was elevated to Chief Judge to the Court of Eastern District of New York on April 30, 2011. She replaces Judge Raymond J. Dearie.

Judge Aida M. Delgado-Colon was elevated to Chief Judge to the Court of the District of Puerto Rico on April 14, 2011. She succeeds Judge Jose Antonio Fuste.

The following judges retired in April:

U.S. Magistrate Judge Justo Arenas, of Puerto Rico, retired from the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico on April 10, 2011.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia M. Morgan, of Michigan, retired from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on April 30, 2011.

Deceased Judge:

U.S. Senior Judge James M. Fitzgerald, of Alaska died April 3, 2011 at his home in Santa Rosa, California . He was nominated by former President Gerald R. Ford in 1974. He served as Chief Judge from 1984-89, when he took Senior Status. He is survived by his wife of over sixty years and four children.

Friday, May 13, 2011

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals to serve as U.S. District Judges on May 2, 2011:

Roy Bale Dalton, Jr., of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. He replaces retired Senior Judge Henry Lee Adams Jr.

Kevin Hunter Sharp, of Tennessee, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee. He replaces retired Senior Judge Robert L. Echols.

The following individuals were nominated by President Obama to serve as Article III Judges on May 4, 2011:

Christopher Droney, of Connecticut, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. He will replace retired Senior Judge Guido Calabresi.

Dana L. Christensen, of Montana, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Montana. He will replace retiring Judge Donald W. Molloy.

Katherine B. Forrest, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. She will replace retired Senior Judge Jed S. Rakoff.

John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Nebraska. He will replace retiring Judge Richard G. Kopf.

Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California. She will replace retired Senior Judge Vaughn R. Walker.

Edgardo Ramos, of Connecticut, to be U.S. Judge for the Southern District of New York. He wil replace resigned Judge Stephen C. Robinson.

Robert N. Scola, Jr., of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida. He will replace retired Senior Judge Paul C. Huck.

President Obama nominated the following individual to serve as an Article III Judge on May 9, 2011:

Stephen A. Higginson, of Louisiana, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. He will replace retired Senior Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr.

President Obama nominated the folloing individuals to serve as an Article III Judge on May 11, 2011:

Richard G. Andrews, of Delaware, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware. He will replace retired Judge Joseph J. Farnan, Jr.

Cathy Ann Bencivengo, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California. She will replace retired Senior Judge Jeffrey T. Miller.

Jeffrey J. Helmick, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. He will replace retired Senior Judge James G. Carr.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individual to serve as U.S. District Judges on April 12, 2011:

Vincent L. Briccetti, of New York, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He replaces retired Judge Kimba M. Wood.

John A. Kronstadt, of California, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. He replaces deceased Judge Florence-Marie Cooper.

American Territories

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as U.S. District Judges for fifteen years:

Wilma Antoinette Lewis, Virgin Islands to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Virgin Islands District on March 2, 2011. She will replace retired Senior Judge Raymond L. Finch.

Ramona Villagomez Manglona, Northern Mariana Islands to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern Mariana Islands District on February 28, 2011. She will replace retired Senior Judge Alex R. Munson.

State Courts:

Alabama

Gov. Bob Riley appointed J Michael Joiner and Liles Burke as Judges to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in February.

Judge Samuel Henry Welch was elevated to Presiding Judge due to the election of Alisha Kelli Wise to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Hawaii

Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Sabrina S. McKenna to the Hawaii Supreme Count on March 3, 2011.

Illinois

Justice Robert W. Cook was recalled due to the elevation of Justice Myerscough to the Federal Bench.

Nebraska

Judge Theodore L. Carlson died April17, 2011 at age 72. He was appointed to the Nebraska Court of Appeals by former Gov. Ben Nelson in 1998. The Judicial Nominating Committee will submit their recommendations to Gov. Heinerman who will make the final decision.

Deceased Federal Judges

Senior Judge J. Thomas Greene died February 11, 2011. He was a Senior Judge for the U.S. District of Utah. Senior Judge Donald J. Lee died March 17, 2011. He was a Senior Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Retired Federal Judges

Robert L. Buchanan, Jr. retired from the U.S. District Court of South Carolina on March 31st as U.S. Magistrate Judge.

Michael R. Merz retired from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on March 20th as U.S. Magistrate Judge.

Senior Status:

The following judges took Senior Status:

Judge Susan H. Black, retired and took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on February 25, 2011.

Judge John W. Sedwick retired and took Senior Status from the W.S. District Court for the District of Alaska on March 14, 3011.

Magistrate Judges:

The following individuals were appointed Magistrate Judges:

Mitchell D. Dembin was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on March 18, 2011.

Charles J. Kahn Jr., was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judged for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on March 4, 2011.

Laurie J. Michelson, was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on February 22, 2011.

Bankruptcy Judge:

Wayne E. Johnson was appointed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Central District of California on February 28, 2011.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The following individual was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 4, 2011:

Jimmie V. Reyna, of Maryland was confirmed to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit. Judge Reyna replaces Judge Haldane Robert Mayer who is now serving as a Senior Judge to the Federal Circuit Court. Judge Reyna is the first Hispanic Judge to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He is currently a partner with the District of Columbia firm William Mullen. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester where he received his undergraduate degree and the University of New Mexico School of Law in Albuquerque where he received his J.D. degree. President Barack Obama submitted Reyna's name for Federal Circuit Judge on September 29, 2010 to the U.S. Senate.

The following individuals were submitted to the U.S. Senate for Article III Judicial positions:

Corinne Ann Beckwith, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals on March 31, 2011. She will replace Retired Senior Judge Inez Smith Reid.

Alison J. Nathan, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. She will replace Retired Senior Judge Sidney H. Stein.

The following Individuals were appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court:

Scott C. Clarkson was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California on January 20, 2011.

Mark S. Wallace was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California on January 20, 2011.

The following Individuals were appointed as U.S. Magistrate Judges:

Jacquelyn D. Austin was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of South Carolina Court on February 7, 2011.

Nannette A. Baker was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri on February 3, 2011.

Scott W. Skavdahl was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Wyoming Court on February 1, 2011.

The following Judges took Senior Status:

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District Court of New York took Senior Status on January 30, 2011.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District Court of New York took Senior Status on February 2, 2011.

Judge R. Barclay Surrick, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania took Senior Status on February 1, 2011.

Elevated Judges:

U.S. District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson was elevated to Chief Judge of the Eastern District Court of Washington on January 27, 2011. She succeeds Judge Lenny R. Suko.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Gregory F. Kishel was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota on January 26, 2011. He will succeed Judge Nancy C. Dreher.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marci Beth McIvor was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on January 1, 2011. She will succeed Judge Phillip Shefferly.

The following Judges Retired:

U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, retired effective February 28, 2011, from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge J. Vincent Aug, Jr. retired effective February 28, 2011, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Nancy C. Dreher, retired effective January 25, 2011, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Timothy J. Mahoney, retired effective January 31, 2011, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Geraldine Mund, retired effective February 9, 2011, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Gregg W. Zive, retired effective December 31, 201, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Beaman, retired effective January 31, 2011, from the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert S. Carr, retired effective February 4, 2011, from the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Gordon M. Davis, retired effective January 31, 2011, from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.

The following Judges Resigned:

U.S. District Judge David H. Coar resigned effective December 31, 2010, from the U.S. District Court for the District of Illinois.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Wesley Wilson Steen resigned effective January 17, 2011, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Samuel J. Steiner resigned effective December 31, 2010, from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Margaret F. Leachman resigned effective February 11, 2011, from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Deceased Judges

Senior Judge David R. Thompson died February 19, 2011. He was a Senior Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

Senior Judge Cynthia Holcomb Hall died February 26, 2011. She was a Senior Judge for the Ninth Circuit.

Senior Judge Charles L. Hardy died on December 14, 2010. He was a Senior Judge for the District of Arizona.

Senior Judge John David Holschuh died on January 26th. He was a Senior Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

Senior Judge Alex T. Howard, Jr. died February 10, 2011. He was a Senior Judge for the Southern District of Alabama.

Senior Judge Richard L. Williams died February 19, 2011. He was a Senior Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Albert E. Radcliffe died January 19, 2011. He was a Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Oregon.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The following names were submitted by President Obama to serve as U.S. District Judges on March 2, 2011:

Nannette J. Brown, of Louisiana, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She will replace Retired Senior Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr.

Wilma A. Lewis, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years. She will replace Retired Senior Judge Raymond L. Finch.

Nancy Torresen, of Maine, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine. She will replace retired Senior Judge D. Brock Hornby.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following U.S. District Judges on March 7, 2011:

Anthony J. Battaglia, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California. He replaces retired Senior Judge M. James Lorenz.

Sue E. Myerscough, of Illinois, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of Illinois. She replaces resigned Judge Jeanne E. Scott.

James E. Shadid, of Illinois, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of Illinois. He replaces retired Senior Judge Michael M. Mihm.

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as Article III Judges on March 9, 2011:

Steve Six, of Kansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. He will replace Retired Senior Judge Deanell Reece Tacha.

William Francis Kuntz, II, of New York, to be U.S> District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. He will replace retired Senior Judge Nina Gershon.

U.S. Senate confirmed the following individual to serve as U.S. District Judge on March 10, 2011:

Max Oliver Cogburn, Jr., of North Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina. He replaces retired Judge Lacy H. Thornburg.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individual to serve as U.S. District Judge on March 14, 2011:

James E. Boasberg, of the District of Columbia, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. He replaces retired Senior Judge Thomas F. Hogan.

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as U.S. District Judges on March 16, 2011:

Mary G. Lewis, of South Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina. She will replace Judge Henry F. Floyd nominated to serve on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Jane Margaret Triche-Milazzo, of Louisiana, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She will replace retired Senior Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following name to serve as a U.S. District Judge on March 17, 2011:

Amy Berman Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. She replaces retired Senior Judge Gladys Kessler.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following name to serve as U.S. District Judge on March 28, 2011:

Mae. A. D'Agostino, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. She replaces retired Senior Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following Article III Judges on February 28, 2011:

Amy Totenberg, of Georgia, to be the U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. She replaces Retired Senior Judge Jack T. Camp.

Steve C. Jones, of Georgia, to be the U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. She replaces Retired Senior Judge Orinda Evans.

The following names were submitted by President Obama to serve as U.S. District Judges to the U.S. Senate on March 2, 2011:

Nannette Jolivette Brown, of Louisiana, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She will replace Retired Senior Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr.

Wilma Antoinette Lewis, of the District of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the Virgin Islands for a term of ten years. She will replace Retired Senior Judge Raymond L. Finch.

Nancy Torresen, of Maine, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine. She will replace Retired Senior Judge D. Brock Hornby.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

U.S. Senate Confirmed the following Article III Judges on February 14, 2011:

James E. Graves, Jr. of Mississippi, to serve as U.S Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit. He replaces retired Senior Judge Rhesa H. Barksdale. Judge Graves was serving as Presiding Justice to the Mississippi Supreme Court prior to his confirmation.

Edward J. Davila, of California, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District Court of California. He replaces retired Senior Judge Marilyn H. Patel.

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as Article III Judges on February 2, 2011:

Paul A. Engelmayer, of New York, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He will replace elevated Judge Gerard E. Lynch who is now a Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

Arvo Mikkanen, of Oklahoma, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma. He will replace retired Senior Judge Terry C. Kern.

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve on The Superior Court of the District of Columbia:

Jennifer A. Di Toro, of the District of Columbia, to serve as an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for fifteen years. She replaces retired Judge Judith E. Ketchin.

Donna M. Murphy, of the District of Columbia, to serve as an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for fifteen years. She replaces retired Judge Kaye K. Christian.

Yvonne M. Williams, of the District of Columbia, to serve as an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for fifteen years. She will replace retired Judge Brook Hedge.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following names to serve as Article III Judges on February 7, 2011:

Paul K. Holmes III, of Arkansas, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas. He replaces retired Senior Judge Robert T. Dawson.

Diana Saldana, of Texas, to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. She replaces retired Senior Judge George P. Kazen.

Marco A. Hernandez, of Oregon to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Oregon. He replaces retired Senior Judge Garr M. King.

State Court Updates:

Gov. Jan Brewer appointed Robert M. Brutinel to the Arizona Supreme Court. Justice Brutinel was sworn in on January 10, 2011.

Associate Justices Karen Baker and Courtney Henry were sworn in on January 10, 2011 to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye was appointed by Gov. Arnold Swarzenegger to serve as Chief Justice on the California Supreme Court. She took office in January after the retirement of former Chief Justice Ronald M. George.

Idaho Court of Appeals Judge David W. Gratton was elevated to serve as Chief Judge for a two year tem beginning January 2011. He was appointed by Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Daniel Eismann.

Judge Richard D. Greene was elevated to the position of Chief Judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals upon the retirement of former Chief Judge Gary W. Rulon.

Beth Baker was elected in November to serve as Justice on the Montana Supreme Court. She was sworn in on January 3, 2011. She replaces Justice W. William Leaphart.

Yvette McGee Brown was sworn in January 3, 2011 and became the first African American woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Cynthia D. Kinser was elevated to Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court on February 1, 2011. Chief Justice Kinser is the first woman to hold the position of Chief Justice to the Virginia Supreme Court. She replaces retired former Chief Justice Leroy R. Hassell Sr.

Monday, January 31, 2011

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as Circuit or District Judges on January 26, 2011:

Henry F. Floyd, of South Carolina, to service as Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. Judge Floyd is currently serving as District Judge for the District of South Carolina. He will replace retired Judge Karen J. Williams.

Michael C. Green, of New York, to serve as District Judge for the Western District of New York. He will replace retired Judge David G. Larimer.

Ramona V. Manglona, of Northern Mariana Islands, to serve as District Judge for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands for a term of ten years. She will replace retired Judge Alex R. Munson.

J. Paul Oetken, of New York, to serve as District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He will replace elevated Judge Denny Chin.

V. Natasha Perdew Silas, of Georgia, to serve as District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. She will replace retired Judge Clarence Cooper.

Linda T. Walker, of Georgia, to serve as District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. She will replace elevated Judge Beverly B. Martin.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Chief Judge John M. Roll Killed Saturday, January 8, 2010

Judge Roll was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona on May 1, 2006. He was nominated by then President H.W. Bush and confirmed to the Federal bench on November 25, 1991. He was killed by a gunman targeting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who was wounded also during the shooting in a suburban Tucson Safeway Saturday, January 8, 2011.

Judge Roll was a graduate of the University of Arizona receiving his Bachelor's Degree in 1969 and J.D. Degree in 1972. He received his LLM from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990.

The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department are the lead investigators for this recent shooting in Tucson, Arizona.

Judge G. Thomas Porteous Impeached by the U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate impeached Judge Porteous on December 8, 2010. Porteous becoming the eighth federal judge impeached by the U.S. Congress. Porteous was accused of taking thousands of dollars in cash, gifts and services to lawyers and bondsmen. The U.S. House of Representatives filed four articles of impeachment in March, 2010. All ninety six U.S. Senate members present voted unanimously to impeach him on the first article. Porteous was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern of District of Louisiana by President William J. Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate October 7,1994. Porteous served as a Louisiana State Judge prior to his appointment to the Federal Bench.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Senior Status Judge

U.S. District Judge Ronald Lee Gilman, has taken Senior Status from the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit effective November 21. 2010.

President Obama submitted the following names to the U.S. Senate to fill Title III vacancies in the U.S. Courts on December 1, 2010:

Bernice B. Donald, of Tennessee, was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. She will replace Judge Ronald Lee Gilman who took senior status on November 21st.

Arenda L. Wright Allen, of Virginia, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. She will replace Judge Jerome B. Friedman who took senior status on November 30th.

Michael F. Urbanski, of Virginia, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Virginia. He will replace Judge Norman S. Moon who took senior status July 1, 2010.

Claire C. Cecchi, of New Jersey, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She will replace elevated Judge Joseph A. Greenaway.

Esther Salas, of New Jersey, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She will replace Judge Katharine Sweeney Hayden who took senior status May 30, 2010.

Mark R. Hornak, of Pennsylvania was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He will replace Judge Donetta W. Ambrose, who took senior status on November 5th.

Robert D. Mariani, of Pennsylvania, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He will replace Judge James M. Munley who took senior status January 30, 2009.

John A. Ross, of Missouri, was nominated to serve as U.S District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. He will replace Judge Charles A. Shaw, who took senior status on December 31, 2009.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The following individuals were nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September to serve as Article III Federal Judges:

Jane Branstetter Stranch was confirmed on September 24, 2010 to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. She replaces retired Judge Martha D. Daughtrey.

Sharon Johnson was confirmed on September 7, 2010 to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. She replaces former Judge Mark Filip who resigned.

Gary Scott Feinerman was confirmed on September 13, 2010 to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He replaces retired Judge Robert W. Gettleman who took senior status.

The following Judges were appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts:

Katharine M. Samson was appointed to the Southern District of Mississippi U.S. Bankruptcy Court on September 30, 2010.

Sean H. Lane was appointed to the Southern District of New York U.S. Bankruptcy Court on September 7, 2010.

H. Christopher Mott was appointed to the Western District of Texas U.S. Bankruptcy Court on September 20, 2010.

The following individuals were appointed U.S. Magistrate Judges:

Leo I. Brisbois was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court of Minnesota on August 30, 2010.

Cheryl A. Eifert was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on September 1, 2010.

George C. Hanks, Jr. was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas on September 13, 2010.

Gary R. Jones was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Florida on September 13, 2010.

The following Judges took Senior Status:

Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr. took Senior Status from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit effective September 30, 2010.

Judge Sidney H. Stein took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York effective September 1, 2010.

Elevated Judges:

Judge Bruce D. Black was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. He succeeds Chief Judge Marta Vazquez.

Judge Brenda T. Rhoades was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas. She succeeds Judge Bill G. Parker.

Retired Judges:

Bankruptcy Judge Samuel L. Bufford retired from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, effective August 31, 2010.

Bankruptcy Judge Leslie Tchaikovsky, retired from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, effective August 31, 2010.

Magistrate Judge Donald W. Bostwick retired form the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, effective August 1, 2010.

Magistrate Judge Raymond L. Erickson retired from the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, effective August 27, 2010.

Five New Judicial Conference Chairs

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., announced the appointment of five new Judicial Conference Committee Chairs:

Judge David A. Katz, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio will succeed Judge Donald C. Pogue, U.S. Court of International Trade on the Committee on Audits and Administrative Office Accountability.

Judge Robert Homes Bell, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan will succeed Chief Judge Julie E. Carnes, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on the Committee on Criminal Law.

Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit will succeed Judge Charles R. Simpson, III, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on the Committee on International Judicial Relations.

Judge Eugene R. Wedoff, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will succeed Judge Laura Taylor Swain, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas will succeed Judge Robert J. Hinkle, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on the Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Oklahoma State Supreme Court Judge Marian Opala Dies From Massive Stroke

Oklahoma State Supreme Court Judge Marian P. Opala died on October 11 at Integris Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City after suffering from a massive stroke. He was 89 years old. Opala had been an Oklahoma State Supreme Court Judge since 1978 and was first appointed by former Gov. David Boren. He previously worked as an Assistant Attorney for Oklahoma County, as a lawyer in private practice, and on the Oklahoma Supreme Court staff. He was the first Administrative Director of the Oklahoma State Court System. He worked on the State Industrial Court and on the Workers' Compensation Court. He was subsequently re-elected several times. Opala was the Chief Justice in 1991 and 1992. He also taught law at Oklahoma City University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Tulsa.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Federal Court Changes:

President Obama nominated the following individuals to serve as Article III Judges on September 29, 2010;

Caitlin Joan Halligan, of New York was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia. She will replace the position vacated due to the elevation of John G. Roberts, Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Jimmie V. Reyna, of Maryland was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Haldane R. Mayer.

Richard Brooke Jackson, of Colorado was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado. He will replace deceased Judge Phillip S. Figa.

Mae A. D’Agostino, of New York was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. She will replace retired Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.

The U.S. Senate Confirmed the following individual to serve on the District of Columbia Superior Court on September 29, 2010;

Maria E. Raffinan, of the District of Columbia was confirmed by U.S. Senate to serve a fifteen year term as Associate Judge of the Superior Court.

State Court Changes:

Minnesota

Lori Skierven Gildea appointed new Supreme Court Chief Justice on May 13, 2010. She replaces former Chief Justice Eric Magnuson

David Stras was appointed Justice to the Supreme Court effective July 1, 2010. He replaces Lori Gildea who was elevated to Chief Justice.

Missouri

Roy L. Richter was elevated to Chief Judge of the Missouri Eastern District Court of Appeals. He replaces Judge Kenneth Romines.

Oklahoma

Carlene Clancy Smith was appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals effective September 1, 2010. She replaces retired Judge Charles S. Chapel.

Monday, August 30, 2010

The following individuals were appointed Bankruptcy Judges:

Marc L. Barrera appointed Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, effective July 13, 2010.

Brian D. Lynch appointed Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, effective June 1, 2010.

Joel T. Marker appointed Judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah effective July 1, 2010.

The following individuals were appointed U.S. Magistrate Judges:

Stephen M. Hyles appointed Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, effective July 1, 2010.

Renee H. Toliver appointed Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, effective June 25, 2010.

Joel B. Toomey appointed Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, effective July 6, 2010.

Elevated Judges:

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Judge Samuel F. Biery was elevated to Chief Judge effective June 1, 2010. He succeeds Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr.

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. was elevated to Chief Judge effective June 1, 2010. He succeeds Judge James G. Carr.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Magistrate Judge Timothy S. Black was elevated to U.S. District Judge effective May 18, 2010.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Magistrate Judge Audrey G. Fleissig was elevated to U.S. District Judge effective June 11, 2010.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Magistrate Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson was elevated to U.S. District Judge effective June 11, 2010.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Judge Pamela Pepper was elevated to Chief Judge effective July 1, 2010. She succeeds Judge Margaret Dee McGarity.

U.S. District Courts Judges taking Senior Status:

Judge James G. Carr became a Senior Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, effective June 1, 2010.

Judge Haldane Robert Mayer became a Senior Judge for the Federal Circuit effective June 30, 2010.

Judge Jeffrey T. Miller became a Senior Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, effective June 6, 2010.

Judge Norman K. Moon became a Senior Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, effective July 1, 2010.

Judge John D. Rainey became a Senior Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, effective June 11, 2010.

Retired Judges:

Judge Wayne B. Anderson retired from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, effective July 31, 2010.

District Judge Joseph J. Farnan, Jr., retired from the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, effective July 31, 2010.

Bankruptcy Judge Thomas T. Glover retired from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, effective July 10, 2010.

Magistrate Judge William M. Catoe, Jr. retired from the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, effective May 31, 2010.

Magistrate Judge Aaron E. Goodstein retired from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, effective June 30, 2010.

Magistrate Judge Michael S. McDonald retired from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, July 2, 2010.

Magistrate Judge James R. Muirhead retired from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, effective May 30, 2010.

Magistrate Judge Sanderson, Jr, retired from U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, effective May 31, 2010.

Resigned Judges from U.S. District Courts:

District Judge Stephen C. Robinson, resigned from U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, effective August 11, 2010.

District Judge James M. Rosenbaum, resigned from U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, effective August 25, 2010.

Deceased Judge:

Senior Judge Henry Bromwell, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York died May 28, 2010.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals for Article III appointments on August 5, 2010:

Judge James A. Wynn, of North Carolina, was confirmed as U.S. Circuit Judge for the 4th Circuit. Judge Wynn was formerly a Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals prior to the appointment.

J. Michelle Childs, of South Carolina, was confirmed as U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina.

Richard M. Gergel, of South Carolina, was confirmed as U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina.

Judge Leonard P. Stark, of Delaware, was confirmed as U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware. Judge Stark was formerly a Magistrate Judge for the District of Delaware.

Elena Kagan Confirmed as U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice

Friday, August 6, 2010

Elena Kagan will become the one hundred and twelfth Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Justice Elena Kagan on Saturday August 7, 2010.

Elena Kagan will be the fourth female to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She will join two current female colleagues Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Elena Kagan will be the eighth Jewish person to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. She will replace Associate John Paul Stevens who notified President Obama of his desire to retire at the end of the 2009-2010 Court year.

Elena Kagan was born in New York City. She received her A.B (summa cum laude) from Princeton University in 1981, her masters from Oxford University in 1983 and her J.D. (magna cum laude) from Harvard Law School in 1986.

She clerked for Judge Abner Mikva in 1987 and Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall in 1988. Justice Marshall gave her the nickname "Shorty." Elena Kagan became professor at the University of Chicago Law. She also served as professor at Harvard Law School and later became the first woman to be appointed as Dean of Harvard Law School.

She was appointed Solicitor General of the U.S. under President Obama on January 26, 2009 and served until her nomination on May 10, 2010. She also served under President Clinton as Associate White House Counsel and later as policy adviser to President William Clinton. President Clinton nominated her for a seat on the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit which expired without action from the U.S. Senate.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

New Circuit Chief Judges:

Judge Randall R. Rader was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit effective June 1, 2010. He succeeds Judge Paul R. Michel, who retired on May 31, 2010.

Judge Theodore A. McKee was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit effective May 4, 2010. He succeeds Judge Anthony J. Scirica.

Judge William J. Riley was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit effective April 2, 2010. He succeeds Judge James B. Loken.

Judge Mary Beck Briscoe was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit effective May 1, 2010. She succeeds Judge Robert J. Henry.

New District & Bankruptcy Chief Judges:

Judge Lisa Godbey Wood was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia on May 5, 2010. She succeeds Judge William T. Moore.

Judge John Metz, III was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana on May 1, 2010. He succeeds Judge Basil H. Lorch, III.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The following names were nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate:

Milton C. Lee, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to serve as Superior Court Judge for a term of fifteen years to the U.S. Superior Court of the District of Columbia on June 22, 2010.

Todd E. Edelman, of the District of Columbia, to serve as Superior Court Judge for a term of fifteen years to the U.S. Superior Court of the District of Columbia on June 22, 2010.

Judith Anne Smith, of the District of Columbia, to serve as Superior Court Judge for a term of fifteen years to the U.S. Superior Court of the District of Columbia on June 22, 2010.

Mark A. Goldsmith, of Michigan, to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on June 21, 2010.

Marc T. Treadwell, of Georgia, to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia on June 21, 2010.

Josephine S. Tuck, of California, to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on June 21, 2010.

James E. Graves, Jr., of Mississippi, to serve as Court Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, on June 15, 2010.

Audrey G. Fleissig, of Missouri, to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, on June 7, 2010.

Lucy H. Koh, of California, to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, on June 7, 2010.

Jane E. Magnus-Stinson, of Indiana, to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on June 7, 2010.

The following names were nominated by President Obama and submitted to the U.S. Senate for Confirmation:

James E. Boasberg, of the District of Columbia to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on June 21, 2010. He will replace Judge Thomas F. Hogan who retired and took Senior Status.

Amy B. Jackson, of the District of Columbia to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on June 21, 2010. She will replace Judge Gladys Kessler who retired and took Senior Status.

Sue E. Myerscough, of Illinois, of Illinois, to serve as District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois on June 21, 2010. She will replace Judge Joe B. Mc Dade who retired and took Senior Status.

President Obama Nominates Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

On May 10, 2010, President Obama nominated Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace retiring Associate Justice John Paul Stevens. Kagan is currently Solicitor General for the Department of Justice. She has a B.A. degree from Princeton University, a Masters Degree from Oxford University in England, and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.

Kagan clerked for Judge (first name) Mikva of the Federal U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall. Kagan later joined the law firm Williams & Connolly in Washington, DC. She taught law at the University of Chicago and Harvard Law School. She was the first female to serve as Dean of Harvard Law School and is the first woman to serve as Solicitor General, the top U.S. Supreme Court Lawyer.

This is President Obama's second nomination to replace an Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is expected that the U.S. Senate will hold hearings and vote prior to the start of the new Supreme Court session, which is to begin in early October. If confirmed Elena Kagan would be the 112th Associate Justice and the fourth woman confirmed to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She would join the two current female Associate Justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The following Article III judges were confirmed by the U.S. Senate:

Denny Chin, currently a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, was confirmed on April 22, 2010, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. Judge Chin will replace Senior Judge Robert D. Sack, who assumed Senior Status.

Thomas I. Vanaskie, serving as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, was confirmed on April 21, 2010, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. Judge Vanaskie will replace Senior Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, who assumed Senior Status.

The following two nominees were confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on April 20, 2010:

Marisa J. Demeo, of the District of Columbia, will serve a fifteen-year term as Associate Judge of the Superior Court.

Stuart G. Nash, of the District of Columbia, will serve a fifteen-year term as Associate Judge of the Superior Court.

Court Appointments:

Judge William M. Conley was appointed Acting Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on March 30, 2010.

Magistrate Judge Appointments:

James L. Cott was appointed Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 2, 2010.

Donna M. Ryu was appointed Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on March 1, 2010.

Candace J. Smith was appointed Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky on March 1, 2010.

Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio on March 15, 2010.

Bankruptcy Judge Appointments:

Catherine E. Bauer was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California on February 26, 2010.

Shelley C. Chapman was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on March 5, 2010.

Thad J. Collins was appointed Judge to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa on March 29, 2010.

Laura K. Grandy was appointed Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois on March 22, 2010.

Deborah J. Saltzman was appointed Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California on February 22, 2010.

James P. Smith was appointed Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia on February 22, 2010.

Tracey Wise was appointed Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky on March 31, 2010.

Chief Bankruptcy Judge Elevations:

Margaret A. Mahoney was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama. She succeeded Judge William Shulman on February 10, 2010.

Lorraine Murphy Weil was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. She succeeded Judge Albert S. Dabrowski on March 1, 2010.

The following names were submitted to the U.S. Senate for Confirmations on April 21, 2010 by President Barack Obama:

James K. Bredar, of Maryland, to be Judge for the District of Maryland. He will replace Judge Frederick Motz at a date yet to be determined by the Judge.

Edmond E-Min Chang, of Illinois, to be Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He will replace retired Senior Judge Elaine P. Bucklo.

Ellen L. Hollander, of Maryland, to be Judge for the District of Maryland. She will replace Judge Andre M. Davis, who was elevated to the Fourth Circuit.

Leslie E. Kobayashi, of Hawaii, to be Judge for the District of Hawaii. She will replace retired Senior Judge Helen W. Gillmor.

Susan R. Nelson, of Minnesota, to be Judge for the District of Minnesota. She will replace retired Senior Judge James M. Rosenbaum.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Associate Justice Stevens Announces His Retirement

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens announced his retirement effective as of the conclusion of the current term, which is anticipated to be the end of June. Associate Justice Stevens sent a one paragraph letter to President Obama which was released to the public on Friday, April 9, 2010. It is the president's expectation that a new justice will be confirmed prior to the beginning of the October 2010 fall session.

Justice Stevens was nominated by President Richard Nixon to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 1970. President Gerald Ford nominated him to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1975. He assumed temporary duties of Chief Justice upon the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehniquist in 2005. Justice Stevens will celebrate his ninetieth birthday in eleven days.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Senate Confirmations

Jacqueline H. Nguyen, of California is the first Vietnamese confirmed to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. Judge Nguyen was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Judge Nguyen will replace resigned Judge Nora Manella.

The following individuals were presented to the U.S. Senate for confirmation:

Nancy D. Freudenthal, of Wyoming, was nominated on December 3, 2009 to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Wyoming. She will replace retired Judge Clarence A. Brimmer, Jr.

Denzil Price Marshall, Jr., of Arkansas was nominated on December 3, 2009 to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas. He will replace retired Judge William Roy Wilson, Jr.

Benita Y. Pearson, of Ohio, was nominated on December 3, 2009 to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. She will replace retired Judge Peter C. Economus.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Judge Richard L. Young was elevated to Chief Judge of the Southern District Court of Indiana on November 25, 2009. Chief Judge Young assumed the position due to the elevation of David F. Hamilton to the Seventh Circuit Court.

U.S. Senate confirmed the following Article III Judges:

Christina Reiss was confirmed on November 21, 2009 as a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Vermont.

Abdul K. Kallon was confirmed on November 21, 2009 as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama.

David F. Hamilton, was confirmed on November 19, 2009 as a U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Seventh Circuit. Judge Hamilton was serving as Chief Judge for the Southern District of Indiana. Judge Hamilton was the first Circuit Court Judge nominated by President Obama.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Confirmations:

October 7, 2009
Paul J. Fishman, of New Jersey was confirmed, to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey on October 7, 2009.

September 29, 2009
Jeffrey L. Viken, of South Dakota, was confirmed to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the District of South Dakota.

September 17, 2009
Gerard E. Lynch was confirmed, to serve as U.S. Circuit Court Judge, for the Second Circuit.

Nominations:

October 13, 2009

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

Sharon Jeannette Lubinski, of Minnesota, was nominated to serve as U.S. Marshal for the District of Minnesota. Ms. Lubinski will replace Michael G. McGinn.

October 6th, 2009

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

Denny Chin, of New York, was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Court Judge, for the Second Circuit. Judge Chin is currently serving as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He will replace retired Judge Robert D. Sack.

O. Rogeriee Thompson, of Rhode Island, was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the First Circuit. Thompson will replace retired Judge Bruce M. Selya.

September 30, 2009

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

Louis B. Butler, Jr., of Wisconsin, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin. Louis Butler served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 2004 - 2008.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The First Japanese-American Federal Judge Dies

U.S. District Judge Robert M. Takasugi died at the age of 78 in a Los Angeles nursing home on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. Judge Takasugi presided over the trial of automaker John Z. DeLorean in 1984. Judge Takasugi was the first Japanese American appointed to the federal bench. He was sent to an internment camp with his family during World War II. In 2002, Judge Takasugi dismissed the indictments of an Iranian and Iranian-American defendants alleged to be members of a terrorist cell attempting to overthrow the Iranian government. Judge Takasugi believed the classification was unconstitutional because it was made without due process.

First Hispanic-American Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court

Friday, August 7, 2009, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor as the 111th Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court by a vote of 68 to 31. Sonia Sotomayor was sworn into office on Saturday morning, August 8, 2009 by Chief Justice John G. Roberts at the U.S. Supreme Court. Both the private and the public swearing in ceremonies were held Saturday morning. Chief Justice Roberts read the oath of office to the 111th Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She will take her seat on the court in September during a rare hearing on a campaign finance case. The official U.S. Supreme Court fall session will begin on October 5th. Sonia Sotomayor is the third female Associate Justice in U.S. history to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and will be the second female to serve on the current court. This is President Barack Obama's first appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday, July 17, 2009

New Fourth Circuit Chief Judge Appointed July 9, 2009

Karen William of South Carolina, the first female Chief Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit stepped down effective immediately this month. William B. Traxler Jr also of South Carolina was appointed Chief Judge effective July 9, 2009. Chief Judge Traxler has served as a Fourth Circuit since his appointed in 1998 by President Bill Clinton.

Judicial Nominations

Judicial Nominations July 8, 2009:

Irene C. Berger, of West Virginia, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge, for the Southern District Court of West Virginia. She will replace retired Senior Judge David A. Faber.

Roberto A. Lange, of South Dakota, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District Court of South Dakota as a District Judge. He will replace retired Senior Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Judicial Nominations June 25, 2009:

Charlene E. Honeywell, of Florida was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District Court of Florida. She will replace retired Senior Judge Susan C. Bucklew.

Jeffrey L. Viken, of South Dakota, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District Court of South Dakota. He will replace retiring Judge Lawrence L. Piersol.

Judicial Nominations June 19, 2009:

Joseph A. Greenaway, Jr. of New Jersey was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. He will replace Samuel A. Alito who was elevated to Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Beverly B. Martin, of Georgia was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit. She will replace retired Senior Judge Lanier Anderson, III.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

President Obama Nominates Sonia Sotomayor

President Obama announced on May 26, 2009 that Judge Sonia Sotomayor is his nominee to replace Associate Justice David Souter. Associate Justice David Souter announced in a letter on May 1, 2009 his intention to retire from the Supreme Court when the current term is completed in June. Judge Sotomayor served as Trial Judge for the Southern District of New York from 1992-1998, when she was nominated by President George H.W. Bush. In 1998, President Bill Clinton nominated Judge Sotomayor to serve on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Sotomayor is the first Hispanic person nominated to serve on the Supreme Court. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Judge Sotomayor will be the third female to serve on the Supreme Court and will join Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor retired from the Supreme Court in 2008. A full biography of Judge Sonia Sotomayer can be found in the Judicial Staff Directory.

Friday, March 6, 2009

U.S. District Court Elevations

Judge Julie E. Carnes was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia effective January 1, 2009.

Judge Susan J. Diott was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio effective January 2, 2009.

Judge David Folsom was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas effective January 1, 2009.

Judge Gerald E. Rosen was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan effective January 1, 2009.

Judge John A. Woodstock, Jr., was elevated to Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine effective January 5, 2009.

New Magistrate Judges Appointed

Edward G. Bryant was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee effective December 15, 2008.

John M. Conroy was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Vermont effective December 22, 2008.

Paul E. Davison was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York effective January 5, 2009.

D. Thomas Ferraro was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona effective December 30, 2008.

Terrance L. Wilson was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma effective January 2, 2009.

U.S. Circuit & District Court Changes

Judge R. Lanier Anderson, III took Senior Status on January 31, 2009 from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey took Senior Status on January 1, 2009 from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Judge Harry F. Barnes took Senior Status on November 1, 2008, from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

Judge Sandra S. Beckwith took Senior Status on January 1, 2009 from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. took Senior Status on December 31, 2008 from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. took Senior Status on December 15, 2008 from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Judge Orinda E. Evans took Senior Status on December 31, 2008 from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Judge David A. Faber took Senior Status on December 31, 2008 from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Judge Bernard A. Friedman took Senior Status on January 1, 2009 from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Judge Hugh Lawson took Senior Status on December 31, 2008 from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Judge James M. Munley took Senior Status on January 30, 2009 from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Judge James Roberson took Senior Status on December 31, 2008 from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Judge John C. Shabaz took Senior Status on January 20, 2009 from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Judge Alicemarie H. Stotler took Senior Status on January 5, 2009 from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Judge Norwood Carlton Tiley, Jr. took Senior Status on December 16, 2008 from the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Retired Federal Court Judges

U.S. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Glen E. Clark retired effective January 5, 2009 form the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerome J. Niedermeier retired effective November 30, 2008 for the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont.

Deceased Federal Court Judges

Senior Judge John T. Elfin died January 6, 2009. He served on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

Senior Judge John E. Sprizzo died December 16, 2008. He served on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Recalled Judge Robert L. Krechevsky died November 6, 2008. He was 86 years old. Judge Krechevsky served as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for thirty years.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

U.S. Circuit Court Changes

Senior Judge Harlington Wood, Jr. died December 29, 2008. Judge Wood was appointed Circuit Court Judge by Pres. Ford to serve on the U.S. Circuit Court for the Seventh Circuit in 1976. He took Senior Status in 1992. Judge Wood was also appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois by Pres. Nixon in 1973.

U.S. District Court Changes

Frank C. Damrell, Jr. assumes Senior Status on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District Court of California.

Robert E. Coyle has retired from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judicial Changes:

Judge Glenn E. Clark retired from the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah.

Judge William T. Thurman was elevated to Chief Judge upon the retirement of Judge Clark.

Frank J. Bailey joined the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Judge Robert E. Littlefield, Jr. was elevated to Chief Judge to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. He will succeed Judge Stephen D. Gerling, who remains on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

New State Judges

Paul A. Bonin, Judge for the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit joined the court on January 13, 2009.

Christopher B. Kehoe was appointed Judge to the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland by Gov. Martin O'Malley on January 21, 2009.

Resigned State Judge

Booker T. Shaw, Judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District resigned effective January 30, 2009.

Friday, January 16, 2009

New U.S. District Court Chief Judges

• Sarah S. Vance was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 1, 2008. She succeeded Judge Helen G. Berrigan.
• Wiley Y. Daniel was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on October 30, 2008. He succeeded Judge Edward W. Nottingham.
• Vicki Miles-Lagrange was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma on November 26, 2008. She succeeded Judge Robin J. Cauthron.
• Thomas B. Russell was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on December 1, 2008. He succeeded Judge John G. Heyburn II.

New U.S. Magistrate Judges

• Ronald E. Bush was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Idaho on October 1, 2008.
• Mitchell S. Goldberg was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on November 3, 2008.
• Paige J. Gossett, was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of South Carolina on October 24, 2008
• J. Scott Hacker was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas on October 17, 2008.
• C. Darnell Jones II was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on October 31, 2008.
• David J, Joel was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia on August 1, 2008.
• Debra McVicker Lynch was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana on October 24, 2008.

Senior Status Judges

• W. Royal Furgeson, Jr. took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on November 30, 2008.
• Nina Gershon took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on October 16, 2008.
• James Maxwell Moody took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on October 1, 2008.
• A. Raymond Randolph, took Senior Status from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on November 1, 2008.
• William R. Wilson, Jr., took Senior Status for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on October 1, 2008.

Deceased Judges

• U.S. Senior District Judge Joe Eaton for the Southern District of Florida died September 28, 2008.
• U.S. Senior District Judge Barron P. McCune for the Western District of Pennsylvania died September 10, 2008.
• U.S. Senior District Judge Howard G. Munson for the Northern District of New York died October 5, 2008.

State Retired Judges

Michigan

• Bill Schuette, Judge for the Michigan Court of Appeals retired January 1, 2009

Judicial Appointments, Nominations & Withdrawals

Monday, January 5, 2009

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following individuals to serve in the judicial system:

• Superior Court Judges for the District of Columbia
• Carol A. Dalton, of the District of Columbia, was confirmed to serve as Associate Judge for the Superior Court for a term of fifteen years.
• Anthony C. Epstein, of the District of Columbia, was confirmed to serve as Associate Judge for the Superior Court for a term of fifteen years.
• Heidi N. Pasichow, of the District of Columbia, was confirmed to serve as Associate Judge for the Superior Court for a term of fifteen years.
• Cathy Seibel, of New York, was confirmed to serve as U. S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Judge Seibel will replace deceased Judge Richard Conway Casey.
• Glenn T. Suddaby, of New York, was confirmed to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. Judge Suddaby will replace Senior Judge Lawrence E. Kahn.
• Paul G. Gardephe, of New York, was confirmed to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Judge Gardephe will replace retired Judge Charles L. Brieant.
• Kiyo A. Matsumoto, of New York, was confirmed to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Judge Matsumoto will replace retired Judge Edward R. Korman
• U.S. Tax Court
• Richard T. Morrison, of Virginia, was confirmed to serve as U.S. Tax Court Judge for a term of fifteen years.
• David Gustafson, of Virginia, was confirmed to serve as U.S. Tax Court Judge for a term of fifteen years.
• Elizabeth Crewson Paris, of the District of Columbia, was confirmed to serve as U.S. Tax Court Judge for a term of fifteen years.

President George W. Bush submitted the following names to serve as lifetime Article III judges:

• J. Richard Barry, of Mississippi, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. He will replace retired Judge William H. Barbour, Jr.
• Thomas Marcelle, of New York, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. He will replace retired Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.
• John J. Tharp, Jr., of Illinois, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He will replace resigned Judge Mark R. Filip.
• Paul S. Diamond, of Pennsylvania, was nominated to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. He will replace retired Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen.
• Mitchell S. Goldberg, of Pennsylvania, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He will replace retired Judge John R. Padova.
• C. Darnell Jones II, of Pennsylvania, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He will replace retired Judge Bruce W. Kauffman.
• Carolyn P. Short, of Pennsylvania, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She will replace Judge Paul S. Diamond who was nominated to serve on the third circuit.
• Joel H. Slomsky, of Pennsylvania, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He will replace retired Judge James T. Tiles.
• Marco A. Hernandez, of Oregon, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Oregon. He will replace retiring Judge Garr M. King
• Eric F. Melgren, of Kansas, was nominated to serve as U.S. Judge for the District of Kansas. He will replace retired Senior Judge Monti L. Belot.
• Anthony John Trenga, of Virginia, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. He will replace resigned Judge Walter D. Kelley.
• U.S. Attorney
• A. Brian Arbritton, of Florida, was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. He will replace resigned U.S. Attorney Paul I. Perez.
• Benton J. Campbell, of New Jersey, was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. He will replace resigned Roslynn R. Mauskopf,who is currently serving as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Michael G. Considine, of Connecticut, was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
• U.S. District Judge
• Timothy G. Dugan, of Wisconsin, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. He will replace retiring Judge Rudolph T. Randa.
• Christine M. Arguello, of Colorado, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado. She will replace retired Judge Walker D. Miller.
• Phillip A. Brimmer, of Colorado, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado. He will replace retired Senior Judge Lewis T. Babcock.
• Gregory E. Goldberg, of Colorado, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado. He will replace deceased Judge Phillip S. Figa.
• William Frederic Jung, of Florida, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. He will replace retiring Judge Susan C. Bucklew.
• Mary Stenson Scriven, of Florida, was nominated to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. She will replace retiring Judge Patricia C. Fawsett

Pres. Bush withdrew the following two names for further consideration for the following judicial positions:

• Gene E.K. Pratter, of Pennsylvania, nominated to serve as Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit to replace retired Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen.
• Carolyn P. Short, of Pennsylvania, nominated to serve as District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania upon the elevation of Gene E.K. Pratter.

Judicial Confirmations

The U.S. Senate confirmed the following names to serves as District Court Judges on June 26, 2008:

• William T. Lawrence, of Indiana, was confirmed to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana. Judge Lawrence was currently serving as Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana.
• G. Murray Snow, of Arizona, was confirmed as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Arizona. Judge Snow was currently serving on the State of Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One.
• The U.S. Senate also confirmed the following U.S. Marshal and U.S. Attorney for a term of four years:
• Kelly H. Rankin, of Wyoming was confirmed to serve a four year term as U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming. Mr. Rankin was serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Criminal Division for the District of Wyoming.
• Clyde R. Cook, Jr. of North Carolina, was confirmed to serve a four year term as U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

State News

• Nancy Litchenstein was appointed to the Colorado State Court of Appeals by Gov. Bill Ritter Jr.,.
• Susan C Del Pesco retired for the Superior Court of Delaware after serving more than twenty years as a judge.
• Judge E. J. Salcines will retire from the Florida Second District Court of Appeals on his 70th birthday, July 18, 2008. Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Nelly Khouzam to serve on the Florida Second District Court of Appeals in Lakeland. Judge Khouzam received her J.D. from the University of Florida in 1981. Judge Khouzam is currently serving as Circuit Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.