Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Federal Courts, Empty Benches: The Wednesday Vacancy Count 7/27/2011
July 27, 2011
- For a District by District break down, see: Federal Court Vacancy Warning System
The current vacancy warning level for the U.S. Federal courts is set at Yellow and is unchanged from last week due to the offsetting retirement of a federal district court judge and the confirmation of additional judge. Approximately 10.1 percent of the total Article III posts are currently left unfilled. The vacancy information for the various court levels is as follows:
| Key: | |
| (Percentage of seats vacant.) | |
| 0% | 1%-9% |
| 10%-24% | 25%-40% |
| More than 40% | |
| Supreme Court | 0 percent or no vacancies |
| Appeals Courts | 9.5 percent or 17 vacancies |
| District Courts | 10.4 percent or 71 vacancies |
There are currently 9 Supreme Court posts, 179 appellate court posts and 680 district court posts for a total of 868 Article III judges. This count includes four temporary posts, one each in the Northern District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Southern District of Florida and the Central District of California. There are currently 57 pending appointments in the Senate leaving 36 percent of the vacant posts without an appointment. So far this year there have been 30 confirmations.
New confirmations
District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands
On July 26, 2011 the Senate confirmed Ramona V. Manglona to the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. The appointment is for a 10-year term and is not considered an Article III appointment. Manglona was originally nominated on January 26, 2011 by Barack Obama and passed the Senate on a voice vote exactly six months after appointment.[1]
Southern District of New York
For the second week in a row the Senate sought fit to confirm a new judge to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On July 26, 2011 the Senate confirmed Paul A. Engelmayer to the Southern District of New York with a vote of 98-0.[1] Engelmayer was originally appointed on February 2, 2011 by Barack Obama. The confirmation fills one of seven current vacancies on the court, but does not affect the vacancy warning level which remains at Yellow.
New vacancies
District of Wyoming
On July 24, 2011 William Downes stepped down from the chief judge position and retired from the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming.[2] The 65 year old Downes served on the court for 17 years following his original appointment from Bill Clinton. Barack Obama appointed Downes's replacement, Scott W. Skavdahl, on February 16, 2011. Skavdahl is currently awaiting action by the committee after his July 13 hearing date.[3] The vacancy is the first on the small court and raises the vacancy warning level to Orange.
New nominations
Central District of California
On July 20, 2011 Barack Obama nominated Michael Fitzgerald to the United States District Court for the Central District of California to fill the seat vacated by Howard Matz who transitioned to senior status on July 11, 2011.[4] Fitzgerald is currently a partner at the law firm Corbin, Fitzgerald & Athey LLP in Los Angeles, CA. Obama commented on the nomination stating, "I am honored to nominate Michael Walter Fitzgerald to the United States District Court. His impressive career stands as a testament to his formidable intellect and integrity. I am confident he will serve the people of California with distinction on the District Court bench."[5] He would fill one of two vacancies on the 28 seat court.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 112th Congress Confirmations
- ↑ US Courts Current Vacancies
- ↑ 112th Congress Nomination Materials
- ↑ "Presidential Nomination Sent to the Senate" 7/20/2011
- ↑ "President Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Michael Walter Fitzgerald to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California" 7/20/2011
| |||||
