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Alfred Bennett
Al Bennett is federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Bennett received a nomination to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas from President Barack Obama on September 18, 2014.[1]
Prior to being confirmed, Bennett was a Democratic judge of Texas District 61.[2] He was re-elected on November 6, 2012, where he served until joining the federal judiciary.[3]
Education
Bennett earned his B.S. from the University of Houston in 1988 and his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1991.[4]
Professional career
- 2009-2015: Presiding judge, Texas District 61
- 2010-2011: Administrative judge, Harris County, Texas
- 2003-2013: Adjunct professor of law, Thurgood Marshall School of Law - Texas Southern University
- 1998-2008: Sole practitioner
- 1994-1998: Attorney, Solar & Fernandes LLP
- 1991-1994: Attorney, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP[1]
Judicial career
Southern District of Texas
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: Al Bennett |
| Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 207 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: September 18, 2014
|
| ABA Rating: Unanimously Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: January 21, 2015
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: February 26, 2015
|
| Confirmed: April 13, 2015
|
| Vote: 95-0
|
Al Bennett received a nomination to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on September 18, 2014. President Barack Obama on the nominations:
| “ | I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench. They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Court.[1][5] | ” |
The American Bar Association rated Bennett Unanimously Qualified for the position.[6]
Bennett's nomination was returned on December 31, 2014. He was renominated by President Barack Obama on January 7, 2014.[7]
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for Bennett on January 21, 2015.[8] The committee reported Bennett to the full Senate by voice vote on February 26, 2015.[9]
Bennett received confirmation to the Southern District of Texas on April 13, 2015, when the Senate voted 95-0 in favor of the nomination.[9]
Elections
2012
Bennett ran for re-election to the 61st District Court and defeated challenger Jeff Hastings with 50.9 percent of the vote.[10][3]
- See also: Texas judicial elections, 2012
Awards and associations
Awards
- 2014: Weldon Berry Judicial Service Award, Houston Lawyers Association
- 2014: W.L. Davis District "WEBELOS Leader of the Year 2013", Boy Scouts of America - Sam Houston Area Council
- 2012: Trial Judge of the Year (Nominee), Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists
- 2011: Community Leader Award, Texas Women's Empowerment Foundation
- 2010: Honoree, Houston Black American Democrats
- 2001: Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell Legal Director
- 1998: President's Achievement Award, Houston Lawyers Association
- 1990: Distinguished Service Award, Houston Lawyers Association
Associations
- 2011-Present: Golf Club of Houston
- 2010-Present: Commissioner, Texas Access to Justice Commission
- 2007-Present: Boy Scouts of America, Troop 242 & Pack 242, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
- 2012-2014: Sam Houston Area Council Winter Camp Staff
- 2012-2014: Cub Scout den leader
- 2012-Present: Merit badge counselor
- 2012-Present: Assistant scoutmaster
- 2010-2012: Cub Scout assistant den leader
- 2009-2010: Cub Scout den leader
- 2006-Present: Member, Chane Investment Management, LLC
- 2006-Present: Board of directors, OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority & Reinvestment Zone Number Seven
- 2005-Present: Member, Bayou Vista Management Group, LLC
- 2004-2008: Board of directors, Parkwood Drive Civic Club
- 2006-2008: President
- 2004-2006: First vice-president
- 2001-2002: Co-chair, Houston's Scholarship Golf Tournament Committee, Just the Beginning Foundation
- 1999-2006: Board of directors, East Downtown Management District
- 2005-2006: Vice chair
- 2003-2005: Treasurer
- 1996-1999: Board of directors, Houston Lawyers Association
- 1998-1999: Immediate pas president
- 1997-1998: President
- 1997-1998: Chair of the board of directors
- 1996-1997: President-elect
- 1991-1994: Houston Center Cub[11]
See also
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
- Harris County, Texas
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The White House, "President Obama Nominates Seven to Serve on the United States District Courts," September 18, 2014
- ↑ State of Texas, "61st District," accessed September 22, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harris County, "Texas-2012 General Elections Results," accessed September 22, 2014
- ↑ Martindale, "Al Bennett - Judge Profile," accessed September 22, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III Judicial Nominees: 113th Congress," accessed September 30, 2014
- ↑ The White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate," January 7, 2015
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Nominations," January 21, 2015
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Library of Congress, "Nomination: PN21-114," accessed March 13, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Summary," accessed September 22, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Questionnaire for Judicial Candidates," accessed January 7, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas 2015-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominated | |||
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas
State courts:
Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
State resources:
Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas
