Federal Courts, Empty Benches: The Wednesday Vacancy Count 11/28/2012
November 28, 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 no new vacancies or confirmations 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 nominations this past week. The last judges to be confirmed were approved by the Senate on September 22, 2012 for the district courts and June 12, 2012 for the appellate courts.
New vacancies
There were no new vacancies this past week. Three district court judges are slated to assume senior status and generate vacancies in December. In addition one appellate judge and five district judges are slated to assume senior status in January, for a total of 6 new vacancies.
New nominations
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
On November 27, 2012 President Barack Obama nominated three individuals to be judges for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Obama commented on the nomination, stating "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]
President Barack Obama nominated Nitza I. Quinones Alejandro to fill the vacancy left by Barclay Surrick.[2] Alejandro is currently a judge for the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, where she has served for 21 years. She earned her B.B.A from the University of Puerto Rico, graduating cum laude in 1972. She went on to earn her J.D. three years later from the University of Puerto Rico School fo Law.[1]
President Barack Obama nominated Felipe Restrepo to fill the vacancy left by Anita Brody.[2] Restrepo currently serves as a magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and has held this position for 6 years. He earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1981. He went on to attend Tulane Law School, earning his J.D. in 1986.[1]
President Barack Obama nominated Jeffrey L. Schmehl to fill the vacancy left by Thomas Golden.[2] Schmehl currently serves as a judge for the Berks County Court of Common Pleas, a position he has held for 14 years. He became the President Judge of the court in 2008. Schmehl attended Dickinson College, earning his B.A. in 1977. He went on to attend the University of Toledo School of Law, earning his J.D. in 1980.[1]
The vacancy warning level of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is currently set at Orange and is one of eight districts with over 25% of their posts vacant. This list includes the Middle District of Pennsylvania as well. These three nominees are the only pending nominees to the court.
See also
Footnotes
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