Law Clerk Addict's Blog
This afternoon President Barack Obama nominated Irene Berger to a vacant distrit judgeship in the Southern District of West Virginia and Roberto Lange to a vacant district judgeship in the District of South Dakota. It seems Obama has a particular interest in South Dakota, for, as you may recall, Obama nominated Jeffrey Viken for another vacancy on that court a mere week and a half ago. Significantly, with the exception of Obama's nomination of Charlene Honeywell to the Middle District of Florida, none of Obama's district court nominees have been to courts designated by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts as judicial emergencies.
In related judicial nominations news, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) announced today that he has recommended that President Obama nominate state Judge Christina Reiss to a vacancy in the District of Vermont. Although the final decision on who to nominate always rests with President Obama, it would be highly surprising if Obama did not nominate Judge Reiss given Senator Leahy's status as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
As usual, the end of the month brings about a flurry of retirements and elections to senior status. Today represents the last day of active service for the following federal district judges:
* Maxine Chesney (N.D. Cal.) (senior)
* Helen Gillmor (D. Haw.) (senior)
* Richard Webber (E.D. Mo.) (senior)
* Garvan Murtha (D. Vt.) (senior)
* Lawrence Piersol (D.S.D.) (senior)
* Samuel Kent (S.D. Tex.) (resignation)
In addition, Judges Peter Economus (N.D. Ohio) and Larry McKinney (S.D. Ind.) will take senior status on July 3 and July 4, respectively.
Appellate Judges
Walker, John (2d Cir.)
Location: New Haven, CT
Term: 8/15/2010 to 8/15/2011 or 8/15/2011 to 8/15/2012
Notes: Two positions available, with different term dates.
District Judges
O'Toole, George (D. Mass.)
Location: Boston, MA
Term: 9/1/2010 to 9/1/2012
Posnor, Michael (D. Mass.)
Location: Springfield, MA
Term: 9/7/2010 to 9/7/2011
Underhill, Stefan (D. Conn.)
Location: Bridgeport, CT
Term: 8/15/2010 to 8/15/2012
Magistrate Judges
Lopez, Marcos (D.P.R.)
Location: San Juan, PR
Term: 9/20/2010 to 9/20/2011
Conroy, John (D. Vt.)
Location: Burlington, VT
Term: 9/20/2010 to 9/20/2011
Bankruptcy Judges
Davis, Diane (Bankrpt. N.Y.)
Location: Utica, NY
Term: 10/1/2009 to 9/30/2010