ConfirmThem

By Dave II Posted in District Courts — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Turns out my tipster last night was right. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on District Court nominees Andrew Guilford and Frank Whitney at 2PM on Wednesday. Although the agenda lists other witnesses "TBA," that likely means Senators or other witnesses on behalf of Guilford and Whitney, not other judges. Fifth Circuit nominee Michael Brunson Wallace is being skipped over again for a hearing. It is clear at this point that getting him confirmed will mean a tremendous fight.

More about Guilford and Whitney below the fold ...

Andrew Guilford , 55, was nominated on January 25, 2006 to fill a vacancy left by Dickran Tevrizian , a Reagan appointee, on the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Guilford is a graduate of UCLA Law and, since 1975, has worked at Sheppard Mullin in California.

Frank Whitney , 46, was nominated on February 14, 2006 to fill a vacancy left by H. Brent McKnight , a previous Bush appointee, on the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Whitney is currently the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. He graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has worked in private practice, including Kilpratrick Stockton, and an earlier stint at the U.S. Attorneys Office during both Bush Administrations and the Clinton Administration. Since 1982, Whitney has been in the Army Reserves. North Carolina currently has five District vacancies, so his help on the bench is sorely needed.

Guilford has been rated unanimously "Well Qualified," but Whitney has only been rated unanimously "Qualified." This despite Whitney having the more diverse experience, though Guilford has been practicing a few years longer than Whitney. To me, this smacks of ABA prejudice against government and public service. I may be wrong, but that's the only difference between the two that just jumps out.

The White House did not nominate any new judges tonight. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold an Executive Business Meeting on Thursday, though the agenda is not yet out. Ninth Circuit nominee Sandra Ikuta is likely to be part of it though.