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Kenechukwu Okocha
Kenechukwu Okocha is an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.[1]
On June 8, 2023, President Joe Biden (D) nominated Okocha to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.[2] Okocha's nomination was returned to the president at the sine die adjournment of the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2024. The president renominated Okocha on January 11, 2024.[3] Okocha's nomination was returned to the president at the sine die adjournment of the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2025. He was not renominated.[4] Click here for more information on Okocha's federal judicial nomination.
The Superior Court of the District of Columbia is a trial court of general jurisdiction in Washington, D.C. To learn more about the court, click here.
Judicial nominations and appointments
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
- See also: Federal judges nominated by Joe Biden
On June 8, 2023, President Joe Biden (D) nominated Okocha to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.[2] To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.
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| Nominee Information |
| Name: Kenechukwu Okocha |
| Court: Superior Court of the District of Columbia |
| Progress |
| Expression error: Unexpected < operator. since nomination. |
 Nominated: June 8, 2023 (first), January 3, 2024 (second)
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 ABA Rating:
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| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: September 7, 2023
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| Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript |
| QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: September 12, 2023 (first), January 31, 2024 (second)
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| Confirmed:
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Confirmation vote
As of January 31, 2024, Okocha was awaiting a confirmation vote from the full U.S. Senate. Click here for a list of other nominees awaiting a full Senate vote.
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held hearings on Okocha's nomination on September 7, 2023. Okocha was reported to the full Senate on September 12, 2023, after a 7-5 committee vote.[5] After his renomination, Okocha was reported to the full Senate on January 31, 2024, with a 8-5 committee vote.[6]
Nomination
On June 8, 2023, President Joe Biden (D) nominated Okocha to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Okocha's nomination was returned to the president at the sine die adjournment of the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2024. The president renominated Okocha on January 11, 2024.[3][2]
Okocha was nominated to replace Judge William W. Nooter, who retired/assumed senior status on February 6, 2023.[7]
Biography
Education
Okocha obtained a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.[1]
Career
- 2011-present: Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia
- 2019- present: Deputy Chief, Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Division
- 2008-2010: Assistant District Attorney, Dane County District Attorney’s Office in Madison, Wisconsin
About the court
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| Trial courts and judges |
| Elections by state |
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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.[8]
Click on the links below to learn more about the court's...
The Superior Court handles all local trial matters. This includes topics such as:[9]
- Civil law
- Criminal law
- Family law
- Probate
- Taxes
- Landlord-tenant
- Small claims
- Traffic
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.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The White House, "President Biden Names Thirty-Fourth Round of Judicial Nominees and One New Nominee to Serve as U.S. Attorney," June 7, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Congress.gov, "PN767 — Kenechukwu Onyemaechi Okocha — The Judiciary," accessed June 8, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Congress.gov, "PN1352 — Kenechukwu Onyemaechi Okocha — The Judiciary," accessed January 16, 2024
- ↑ Under Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, pending nominations are returned to the president if the Senate adjourns sine die or recesses for more than 30 days.
- ↑ Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, "Business Meeting on September 12, 2023," accessed September 12, 2023
- ↑ Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, "Business Meeting on January 31, 2024," accessed February 5, 2024
- ↑ Koehler Law, "Farewell to Judge William Nooter," February 7, 2023
- ↑ District of Columbia Courts, "About the Superior Court," accessed March 30, 2021
- ↑ District of Columbia Courts, "About the Superior Court," accessed March 30, 2021
