Federal Courts, Empty Benches: The Wednesday Vacancy Count 11/21/2012
November 21, 2012
- For a District by District break down, see: Federal Court Vacancy Warning System
The current vacancy warning level for the U.S. District courts is set at Blue. There was one new vacancy this past week. That leaves the final tally at 81 vacancies or approximately 9.3% of the total Article III posts currently 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% or no vacancies |
| Appeals Courts | 8.4% or 15 vacancies |
| District Courts | 9.7% or 66 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. This also includes a shared post between the two Missouri districts and counts it as two posts with separate vacancies.
Weekly map
The new weekly map feature will be updated every week and posted here and on the vacancy warning level analysis page.
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New confirmations
There were no new confirmations this past week.
New vacancies
Southern District of Florida
On November 16, 2012 Patricia Seitz assumed senior status for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida after serving on the court for 14 years.[1] Seitz first joined the court on October 1, 1998 after an appointment from Bill Clinton. At the time of her appointment she served on the Office of National Drug Control Policy where she served as Director of Legal Counsel until her appointment to the federal bench in 1998. Born in Washington, D.C., Seitz graduated from Kansas State University in Kansas with her bachelor's degree in 1968. Seitz obtained her Juris Doctor, J.D. degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1973.[2] The transition to senior status creates the second vacancy on the court of eighteen, raising the vacancy warning level from Blue to Yellow.
New nominations
District Courts
On November 15, 2012 President Barack Obama nominated seven to the United States District Courts. Obama commented on the nominations, stating, "These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system. They also represent my continued commitment to ensure that the judiciary resembles the nation it serves. I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity. Too many of our courtrooms stand empty. I hope the Senate will promptly consider all of my nominees and ensure justice for everyday Americans."[3]
Southern District of New York
President Obama nominated two to be judges for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Valerie Caproni was nominated to fill the vacancy left by Richard Holwell upon his resignation.[4] Caproni currently serves as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Northrop Grumman Corporation. She attended Newcomb College of Tulane University, earning her B.A. in 1976 graduating magna cum laude. She went on to earn her J.D. in 1979 from University of Georgia School of Law graduating summa cum laude.[3]
Analisa Torres was nominated to fill the vacancy left by Judge Naomi Buchwald upon her retirement.[4] Torres currently serves as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court 1st Judicial District in Manhattan. She attended Harvard College, earning her A.B. in 1981 graduating magna cum laude. She went on to earn her J.D. in 1984 from Columbia Law School.[3]
District of New Mexico
Kenneth John Gonzales was nominated to the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico to fill the vacancy left by Judge Bruce Black upon his retirement.[4] Gonzales currently serves as a United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. He attended University of New Mexico, earning his B.A. in 1988. He went on to earn his J.D. in 1994 from University of New Mexico School of Law.[3]
District of Colorado
Raymond P. Moore was nominated to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado to fill the vacancy left by Judge Wiley Daniel upon his retirement.[4] Moore currently serves as the Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming. He attended Yale, earning his B.A. cum lade in 1975. He went on to earn his J.D. in 1978 from Yale Law School.[3]
Central District of California
Beverly Reid O'Connell was nominated to the United States District Court for the Central District of California to fill the vacancy left by Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank upon her retirement.[4] O'Connell currently serves as a judge for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California. She attended University of California at Los Angeles, earning her B.A. in 1986. She went on to earn her J.D. in 1990 from Pepperdine University School of Law graduating magna cum laude.[3]
Southern District of Florida
William Thomas was nominated to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida to fill the vacancy left by Judge Adalberto Jordan upon his retirement.[4] Thomas currently serves as a circuit judge in the Florida 11th Circuit Court. He attended Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, earning his B.A. in 1991. He went on to earn his J.D. in 1994 from Temple University School of Law.[3]
District of Hawaii
Derrick Kahala Watson was nominated to the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii to fill the vacancy left by Judge David Alan Ezra upon his retirement.[4] Watson currently serves as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Hawaii. He attended Harvard College earning his A.B. in 1988. He went on to earn his J.D. in 1991 from Harvard Law School.[3]
Other Courts
Court of International Trade
On November 14, 2012, President Barack Obama nominated Claire R. Kelly to be a judge for the United States Court of International Trade to fill the vacancy left by Evan Wallach.[4] Obama commented on the nomination, stating, "I am honored to put forward this highly qualified candidate for the federal bench. Ms. Kelly will be a distinguished public servant and valuable addition to the Court of International Trade." Kelly is currently a Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School, focusing on international trade and financial issues. She attended Barnard College, earning her B.A. cum laude in 1987. She went on to earn her J.D. in 1993 from Brooklyn Law School graduating magna cum laude.[5]
Appeals for Veterans Claims
On November 15, 2012, President Barack Obama nominated William Greenberg to be a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Obama commented on the nomination, stating, "I am confident that Mr. Greenberg will greatly serve the American people in his new role and I look forward to working with him in the months and years to come." Greenberg is currently a Partner at McCarter & English, LLP. He attended Johns Hopkins University, earning his B.A. He went on to earn his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.[6]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ U.S. Courts Current Vacancies
- ↑ Judge Seitz Biography from the Federal Judicial Center.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "President Obama Nominates Seven to the United States District Courts" 11/14/2012
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate" 11/14/2012
- ↑ "President Obama Nominates Claire R. Kelly to Serve on the U.S. Court of International Trade" 11/14/2012
- ↑ "President Obama Nominates William Greenberg to the United States Court of Appeal for Veterans Claims" 11/15/2012
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