Carmen Guerricagoitia McLean

Nomination Tracker
Nominee Information
	Name: Carmen Guerricagoitia McLean
	Court: Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Progress
	Confirmed 429 days after nomination.
	Nominated: October 30, 2017
	ABA Rating: Not rated by the ABA
	Questionnaire:
	Hearing: July 19, 2018
	QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
	Reported: August 27, 2018
	Confirmed: January 2, 2019
	Vote: Voice vote

Carmen Guerricagoitia McLean is an associate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. She was nominated to the court by President Donald Trump (R) on October 3, 2017, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 2, 2019, by a voice vote.^[1] To see a full list of judges appointed by Donald Trump, click here.

The Superior Court of the District of Columbia is a trial court of general jurisdiction in Washington, D.C. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1970, the Superior Court exercises a local jurisdiction over the District of Columbia.

At the time of her appointment, McLean was a partner in the Washington, D.C.-based office of Jones Day.^[2]

On September 27, 2016, President Barack Obama nominated her to a fifteen-year term as an associate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.^[3] On January 3, 2017, her nomination was returned to President Obama at the sine die adjournment of the 114th Congress.^[4]

Judicial nominations and appointments

Superior Court of the District of Columbia

See also: Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump

McClean was nominated to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by President Donald Trump (R) on October 30, 2017. The U.S. Senate confirmed McClean on January 2, 2019, by a voice vote.^[1] To read more about the federal nomination process, click here.

Confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed McClean on January 2, 2019, by voice vote.^[1]

Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing

McClean had her hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on July 19, 2018. The committee voted to advance McClean's nomination to the full Senate on August 27, 2018.^[1]

Nomination

McClean was nominated to replace Judge Gregory Jackson, who assumed senior status in 2017.

Superior Court of the District of Columbia (2016)

See also: Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama

McLean was nominated by President Barack Obama on September 27, 2016, to serve as an associate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to succeed Judge Stuart G. Nash, who retired from judicial service. The president gave the following remarks on McLean's nomination: "I am pleased to nominate Judge Julie Rebecca Breslow, Deborah J. Israel, and Carmen Guerricagoitia McLean to serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ... I am confident they will serve the District of Columbia with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice." On January 3, 2017, McLean's nomination was returned to President Obama at the sine die adjournment of the 114th Congress.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Education

McLean earned her bachelor's degree from George Fox University in 1998 and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2001.^[2]

Professional career

2019-present: Associate justice, Superior Court of the District of Columbia
2001-2019: Private practice, Jones Day, Washington, D.C.^[2]

Awards

District of Columbia Rising Star by the National Law Journal in 2015
'District of Columbia Bar Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in 2012
Champion of the Legal Profession by the National Law Journal in 2011^[2]

About the court

Local Courts

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The Superior Court of the District of Columbia resides in Washington, D.C. It is a trial court of general jurisdiction established by the U.S. Congress in 1970.^[6]

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Jurisdiction
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The Superior Court handles all local trial matters. This includes topics such as:^[6]

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The federal nomination process

Federal judges are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. There are multiple steps to the process:

The president nominates an individual for a judicial seat.
The nominee fills out a questionnaire and is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing with the nominee, questioning them about things like their judicial philosophy, past rulings or opinions, etc.

As part of this process, the committee sends a blue slip to senators from the home state in which the judicial nomination was received, allowing them to express their approval or disapproval of the nominee.

After the hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to approve or return the nominee.

If approved, the nominee is voted on by the full Senate.
If the Committee votes to return the nominee to the president, the president has the opportunity to re-nominate the individual.

The Senate holds a vote on the candidate.

If the Senate confirms the nomination, the nominee receives a commission to serve a lifelong position as a federal judge.
If the Senate does not confirm the nomination, that nominee does not become a judge.