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Diane Humetewa
2014 - Present
11
Diane Humetewa is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. Prior to joining the court, she was a professor at the Sandra Day O'Conner College of Law at Arizona State University. Humetewa was nominated by Barack Obama to the United States District Court for the District of Arizona on September 19, 2013. She is the first active tribal female Native American to serve on a federal court.[1][2] The United States Senate confirmed Humetewa on May 14, 2014, on vote of 96-0.[3]
Education
Humetewa earned her B.A. from Arizona State University in 1987 and her J.D. from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Conner School of Law in 1993.[4]
Professional career
- 2011-2014: Professor, Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Conner School of Law
- 2009-2011: Counsel, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP
- 2002-2007: Appellate Court Judge, Hopi Appellate Court
- 1998-2009: United States Attorney's Office, District of Arizona
- 2007-2009: U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona
- 2001-2007: Senior Litigation Counsel, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona
- 1998-2007: Assistant U.S. Attorney
- 1993-1996: Deputy Counsel, United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs[1]
Judicial career
District of Arizona
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: Diane Humetewa |
| Court: District of Arizona |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 237 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: September 19, 2013
|
| ABA Rating: Substantial Majority Qualified, Minority Well Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: January 28, 2014
|
| QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: February 27, 2014
|
| Confirmed: May 14, 2014
|
| Vote: 96-0
|
On September 19, 2013, Barack Obama nominated Diane Humetewa to the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. The seat was vacated by Mary Murguia when she was elevated to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. President Obama had this to say about the nomination:
| “ | These men and women have had distinguished legal careers and I am honored to ask them to continue their work as judges on the federal bench... They will serve the American people with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice.[1][5] | ” |
Humetewa was rated Qualified by a substantial majority of the American Bar Association and Well Qualified by the minority.[6]
Humetewa's nomination was returned by the Senate on January 3, 2014, and she was renominated on January 6th by President Obama.[7]
Diane Humetewa had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 28, 2014.[8] The hearing comes after Senator Jeff Flake submitted his blue slip, which he had previously held on to.[9] On February 27, 2014, Humetewa was reported to the full Senate by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a voice vote. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 14, 2014, by a vote of 96-0.[3]
Reactions to nomination
The President of the National Native American Bar Association, Mary Smith, had this to say about her nomination,
| “ | NNNABA applauds President Obama for the historic nomination of Diane Humetewa to the federal bench in Arizona. Ms. Humetewa’s stellar career,including her position as a federal prosecutor, will serve her well as the first female Native American ever appointed to the federal judiciary and the only American Indian in the federal judiciary.[10][5] | ” |
Awards and associations
Awards
- 2013: Named, Best Lawyers in America for the Native American Law practice area by The Best Lawyers
- 2012: 48 Intriguing Women of Arizona Award, Arizona State Historical Society in recognition of Arizona's Centennial Celebration
- 2010: Women in Business Honoree, Phoenix Business Journal
- 2009: Distinguished Service Award, Federal Bar Association, Arizona Chapter
- 2009: President's Award, Women in Federal Law Enforcement Association
- 2009: John S. Lancy Award, Sandra Day O'Conner College of Law
- 2009: Native American Indian Alumni of the Year, Arizona State University
- 1999: Director's Award for Superior Performance, U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office of United States Attorneys
- 1990: Recognition for Outstanding Contribution, United States Attorney's Office, District of Arizona
- 1987-1990: Certificate of Appreciation for Contribution to the District of Arizona, U.S. Attorney's Office
- 1989: Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Dedication, Service & Advocacy, Richard A. Abell, Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Associations
- 2011-Present: Arizona State University Alumni Association
- 2010-Present: The Nature Conservancy in Arizona
- 2013-Present: Secretary, Board of Trustees
- 2010-Present: Member, Board of Trustees
- 2010-Present: Board of Directors, National Indian Justice Center
- 2009-Present: National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys
- 2007-2009: Attorney General's Native American Issues Subcommittee
- 2006-Present: Member, Board of Trustees, The Udall Foundation
- 2013: Secretary, Board of Trustees
- 2003-Present: Mount Central Place Homeowners Association
- 2003-2009: Arizona State, Tribal and Federal Court Forum, Arizona Supreme Court
- 2001-2004: Board of Directors, The Phoenix Heard Museum
- 2000-2002: Board of Directors, The Hopi Education Endowment Fund
- 1997-2011: Advisory Council, Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Conner College of Law
- 1996-1997: Board of Directors, Maricopa County Bar Association
See also
- United States District Court for the District of Arizona
- United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
- Arizona
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Native News Network, "Hopi Citizen Diane Humetewa Nominated by President to be Federal District Court Judge," September 20, 2013
- ↑ AZ Central, "U.S. Senate confirms 3 judges to Arizona federal bench," May 14, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 United States Senate, "On the Nomination (Confirmation Diane J. Humetewa, of Arizona, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Arizona)," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Arizona State University, "Diane J. Humetewa," accessed September 23, 2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ ABA, "RATINGS OF ARTICLE III JUDICIAL NOMINEES 113TH CONGRESS," September 25, 2013
- ↑ White House, "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate," January 7, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Committee hearing," January 28, 2014
- ↑ National Law Journal, "Joudicial Nominee Gets Confirmation Hearing After Two Years," January 24, 2014
- ↑ Turtle Talk, "NNABA Press Release on Diane Humetewa Nomination," September 19, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the District of Arizona 2014-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Nominated | |||
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Arizona • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Arizona
State courts:
Arizona Supreme Court • Arizona Court of Appeals • Arizona Superior Court • Arizona Justice Courts • Arizona Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Arizona • Arizona judicial elections • Judicial selection in Arizona
