Robert Ballou

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Robert S. Ballou
Image of Robert S. Ballou
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Tenure

2023 - Present

Years in position

2

Predecessor
Prior offices
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia

Education

Bachelor's

University of Virginia, 1984

Law

University of Virginia, 1987

Robert S. Ballou is judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. he was nominated to the court by President Joe Biden (D) on July 13, 2022, and confirmed by the United States Senate on March 7, 2023, by a vote of 59 - 37.[1][2][3][4] Ballou was one of 235 Article III judges nominated by President Joe Biden (D) and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. To see a full list of judges appointed by Joe Biden, click here.

Ballou was a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.[1]

The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia is one of 94 U.S. District Courts. They are the general trial courts of the United States federal courts. To learn more about the court, click here.

Judicial nominations and appointments

United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia (Article III)

See also: Federal judges nominated by Joe Biden

On July 13, 2022, President Joe Biden (D) nominated Ballou to the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Ballou's nomination was returned to the president at the sine die adjournment of the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2023.[5] The president renominated Ballou on January 23, 2023.[3] Ballou received commission on March 9, 2023.[6]To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Robert Ballou
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Progress
Confirmed 237 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: July 13, 2022
ApprovedAABA Rating: Well Qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
ApprovedAHearing: November 15, 2022
Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: December 8, 2022 (initial nomination) 
ApprovedAConfirmed: March 7, 2023
ApprovedAVote: 59 - 37


Confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Ballou by a vote of 59 - 37 on March 7, 2023.[3] To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, click here.

Robert Ballou confirmation vote (March 7, 2023)
Party Yea Nay No vote
Electiondot.png Democratic 45 0 3
Ends.png Republican 11 37 1
Grey.png Independent 3 0 0
Total 59 37 4

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

In a committee hearing on February 9, 2023, Ballou was reported to the full Senate, after a 16-5 committee vote.[4] Click here for a list of other nominees awaiting a committee hearing.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Ballou's nomination on November 15, 2022. Ballou was reported to the full Senate on December 8, 2022, after a 16-6 committee vote.[7]

Nomination

President Biden nominated Ballou on July 13, 2022, to replace Judge James Jones, who assumed senior status on August 30, 2021.[5]

Ballou's nomination was returned to the president at the sine die adjournment of the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2023.[8] The president renominated Ballou on January 23, 2023.[3]

The American Bar Association (ABA) rated Ballou Well Qualified.[9] To read more about ABA ratings, click here.

United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia (Magistrate, 2011-present)

Ballou began serving as a U.S. magistrate judge for the Western District of Virginia in 2011.[1]

Biography

Education

Ballou obtained a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1984 and a J.D. from the University of Virginia in 1987.[1]

Professional career

About the court

Western District of Virginia
Fourth Circuit
VA-WD.gif
Judgeships
Posts: 4
Judges: 4
Vacancies: 0
Judges
Chief: Elizabeth K. Dillon
Active judges: Robert S. Ballou, Thomas T. Cullen, Elizabeth K. Dillon, Jasmine Yoon

Senior judges:
James Jones, Norman Moon, Michael Urbanski


The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia is one of 94 United States district courts. When decisions of the court are appealed, they are appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit based in downtown Richmond, Virginia at the Lewis F. Powell Federal Courthouse.

The Western District of Virginia has original jurisdiction over cases filed within its jurisdiction. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law.

There are seven court divisions, each covering the following counties and cities:

The Abingdon Division, covering Buchanan, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell and Washington counties, in addition to the cities of Bristol.

The Big Stone Gap Division, covering Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Wise counties, in addition to the cities of Norton.

The Charlottesville Division, covering Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange and Rappahannock counties, in addition to the cities of Charlottesville.

The Danville Division, covering Charlotte, Halifax, Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania counties, in addition to the cities of Danville, Martinsville and South Boston.

The Harrisonburg Division, covering Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah and Warren counties, in addition to the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester.

The Lynchburg Division, covering Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Cumberland and Rockbridge counties, in addition to the cities of Bedford, Buena Vista, Lexington and Lynchburg.

The Roanoke Division, covering Alleghany, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, and Wythe counties, in addition to the cities of Clifton Forge, Covington, Galax, Radford, Roanoke and Salem.

To read opinions published by this court, click here.

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

Political offices
Preceded by
James Jones
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
2023-Present
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
-
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
2011
Succeeded by
-