Law Clerk Addict

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.