Sal Mendoza, Jr.
2022 - Present
2
Salvador "Sal" Mendoza, Jr. is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. He was nominated to the court by President Joe Biden (D) on April 25, 2022, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 12, 2022, by a vote of 46-40.[1][2] Mendoza 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.
The United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit is one of 13 U.S. courts of appeal. They are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal courts. To learn more about the 9th Circuit, click here.
Prior to his confirmation to the Ninth Circuit, Mendoza was a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. On January 16, 2014, Mendoza was nominated by President Barack Obama (D) to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.[3] The United States Senate confirmed Mendoza on June 17, 2014, by a vote of 92-4.[4]
Judicial nominations, appointments, and elections
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (2022-present)
- See also: Federal judges nominated by Joe Biden
On April 25, 2022, President Joe Biden (D) nominated Mendoza to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. He was confirmed by a 46-40 vote of the U.S. Senate on September 12, 2022.[1] To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.
 |
| Nominee Information |
| Name: Sal Mendoza, Jr. |
| Court: United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit |
| Progress |
| Confirmed 140 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: April 25, 2022
|
| ABA Rating: Well Qualified
|
| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
| Hearing: May 11, 2022
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| QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported: June 9, 2022
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| Confirmed: September 12, 2022
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| Vote: 46-40
|
Confirmation vote
The U.S. Senate confirmed Mendoza by a vote of 46-40 on September 12, 2022.[2] To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, click here.
| Mendoza confirmation vote (September 12, 2022) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Yea | Nay | No vote | ||||||
 Democratic |
41 | 0 | 7 | ||||||
 Republican |
3 | 40 | 7 | ||||||
 Independent |
2 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 46 | 40 | 14 | ||||||
Senate Judiciary Committee hearing
The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Mendoza's nomination on May 11, 2022. The committee voted to advance Mendoza's nomination to the full Senate on June 9, 2022.[2]
Nomination
The president officially nominated Mendoza to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on April 25, 2022.
Mendoza was nominated to replace Judge Margaret McKeown.[1]
The American Bar Association rated Mendoza well qualified.[5] To read more about ABA ratings, click here.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington (2014-2022)
- See also: Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama
Sal Mendoza was nominated to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington by President Barack Obama (D) on January 16, 2014.[6] The United States Senate confirmed Mendoza to the court on June 17, 2014, on a vote of 92-4.[4] He received commission on June 19, 2022.[6] To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.
Confirmation vote
The U.S. Senate confirmed Mendoza by a vote of 92-4 on June 17, 2014.[7] To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, click here.
| Mendoza confirmation vote (June 17, 2014) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Yea | Nay | No vote | ||||||
| Democratic |
50 | 0 | 3 | ||||||
| Republican |
40 | 4 | 1 | ||||||
| Independent |
2 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 92 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
Senate Judiciary Committee hearing
Mendoza had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 12, 2014.[8] The committee reported Mendoza's nomination to the full Senate on April 3, 2014, by a vote of 17-1.[9]
Nomination
On January 16, 2014, President Barack Obama (D) nominated Mendoza to fill a vacancy created by Lonny Suko, who assumed senior status on November 1, 2013.
The American Bar Association rated Mendoza qualified by a substantial majority and not qualified by a minority.[10]
Benton/Franklin Superior Court (2013-2014)
- See also: Washington judicial elections, 2013
Mendoza filed for election to the Benton/Franklin Superior Court. He was unopposed and did not appear on the ballot.[11][12]
Biography
Early life and education
Mendoza was born in Pacoima, California, in 1971.[13] Mendoza received a B.A. from the University of Washington in 1994 and a J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1997.[14][15]
Career
- 2022-present: Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- 2014-2022: Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- 2013-2014: Judge, Benton/Franklin Superior Court, Washington
- 2006-2013: District Court Judge Pro Tempore, Benton County Justice Center
- 2002-2013: Juvenile Court Judge Pro Tempore, Benton and Franklin counties Juvenile Justice Center
- 2002-2013: Municipal Court Judge Pro Tempore, City of Pasco Municipal Court
- 2002-2013: President, Managing Attorney, Mendoza and Johnson, P.S.
- 1999-2002: Haney and Mendoza, P.S.
- 2001-2002: Vice President
- 1999-2001: Solo Practice
- 1998-1999: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Franklin County Prosecutor's Office
- 1997-1998: Assistant Attorney General, Washington State Attorney General's Office[14][15]
Awards and associations
Awards
- 2013:
- Tri-Cities Youth & Justice Forum Award, Washington State Minority & Justice Commission
- Award for Outstanding Service, Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Society
- 2008: Community Leadership Award, La Voz Newspaper[13]
Associations
- Benton Franklin Bar Association
- Benton & Franklin Counties Circle of Hope Foundation for Drug Courts
- Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Society
- Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington
- Leadership Tri-Cities
- MacArthur Foundation Models for Change Initiative for Juvenile Justice
- Tri-Cities CJA Attorneys
- Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington State Minority & Justice Commission[13]
About the court
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a federal appellate court with appellate jurisdiction. It hears appeals from all of the circuit courts within its jurisdiction and its rulings may be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.
The Ninth Circuit is the largest appellate court with 29 authorized judicial posts. Appeals are heard in the James R. Browning Federal Courthouse in San Francisco, California, the Richard H. Chambers Courthouse in Pasadena, California, the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, and the William K. Nakamura Courthouse in Seattle, Washington.
One judge of the Ninth Circuit went on to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Justice Anthony Kennedy was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan (R).
The Ninth Circuit has appellate jurisdiction over cases heard in one of its subsidiary districts. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law. Appeals of rulings by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals are petitioned to the Supreme Court of the United States. Justice Elena Kagan is the circuit justice for the Ninth Circuit.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:
It also has appellate jurisdiction over the following territorial courts:
- United States District Court for the District of Guam
- United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands
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
- United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
- Biography from the Federal Judicial Center
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 WhiteHouse.gov, "Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate," April 25, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Congress.gov, “PN1966 — Salvador Mendoza Jr — The Judiciary,” accessed June 9, 2022
- ↑ White House, "President Obama Nominates Four to Serve on the United States District Courts," January 16, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 United States Senate, "On the Nomination (Confirmation Salvador Mendoza, Jr., of Washington, to be U.S. District Judge)," June 17, 2014
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III and Article IV Judicial Nominees: 117th Congress," accessed May 11, 2022
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Federal Judicial Center, "Mendoza, Salvador, Jr.," accessed April 25, 2022
- ↑ Congress.gov, "PN1347 — Salvador Mendoza Jr. — The Judiciary," accessed April 25, 2022
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "TIME CHANGE: Nominations," accessed March 14, 2014
- ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Judicial Nominations: April 3, 2014," accessed April 4, 2014
- ↑ American Bar, "RATINGS OF ARTICLE III JUDICIAL NOMINEES 113TH CONGRESS," accessed January 16, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2013 Offices Open for Election," 2013
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State: November 5, 2013 General Elections Results - Judicial
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Senate Judiciary Committee, "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees," accessed May 19, 2022
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 The White House, "President Biden Names Sixteenth Round of Judicial Nominees," April 13, 2022
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Tri-City Herald, "Benton-Franklin sees first Latino judge," April 25, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit 2022-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington 2014-2022 |
Succeeded by Rebecca Pennell |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Active judges |
Chief Judge: Stanley Bastian • Thomas Rice • Mary Dimke • Rebecca Pennell | ||
| Senior judges |
Robert Whaley • William Nielsen • Edward Shea • Lonny Suko • Rosanna Peterson • | ||
| Magistrate judges | James Goeke • | ||
| Former Article III judges |
Edward Whitson • Frank Rudkin • John Stanley Webster • Justin Quackenbush • Frederick Van Sickle • Lloyd Black • Samuel Driver • William Goodwin • William Lindberg • Alan McDonald • Robert McNichols • Marshall Neill • Charles Powell • Lewis Schwellenbach • Jack Tanner • Sal Mendoza, Jr. (Washington) • | ||
| Former Chief judges |
Robert Whaley • Justin Quackenbush • William Nielsen • Frederick Van Sickle • Lonny Suko • Samuel Driver • William Goodwin • Robert McNichols • Marshall Neill • Charles Powell • Rosanna Peterson • Thomas Rice • | ||
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioned in 2025 | |||
| Commissioned in 2024 |
John Kazen • John Russell • Margaret Garnett • Cristal Brisco • Jacquelyn Austin • Gretchen Hess Lund • Micah Smith • Joshua Kolar • Karoline Mehalchick • Kirk Sherriff • Lisa Wang • David Leibowitz • Jacqueline Becerra • Julie Sneed • Melissa Damian • Kelly H. Rankin • Nicole Berner • Sunil Harjani • Leon Schydlower • Ernesto Gonzalez • Susan Bazis • Robert White • Ann Marie McIff Allen • Eumi Lee • Krissa Lanham • Eric Schulte • Camela Theeler • Angela Martinez • Jasmine Yoon • Nancy Maldonado • Meredith Vacca • Georgia Alexakis • Joseph Saporito • Amy Baggio • Stacey Neumann • Mary Kay Lanthier • Adam Abelson • Laura Provinzino • Mary Kay Costello • Dena Coggins • Kevin Ritz • Shanlyn A. S. Park • Byron Conway • Jeannette Vargas • Michelle Williams Court • Jonathan E. Hawley • April Perry • Mustafa Kasubhai • Sarah Russell • Amir Ali • Rebecca Pennell • Anthony Brindisi • Elizabeth Coombe • Cynthia Valenzuela • Anne Hwang • Brian Murphy • Noël Wise • Sanket Bulsara • Tiffany Johnson • Sparkle Sooknanan • Gail Weilheimer • Embry Kidd • Melissa DuBose • Sharad Desai • Serena R. Murillo • Benjamin Cheeks • Sarah Davenport | ||
| Commissioned in 2023 | Kai Scott • Tamika Montgomery-Reeves • Margaret R. Guzman • Daniel Calabretta • Matthew Garcia • DeAndrea G. Benjamin • Cindy Chung • Adrienne Nelson • Lindsay Jenkins • Gina Méndez-Miró • Araceli Martínez-Olguín • Jamar Walker • Ana Reyes • Jamal Whitehead • Gordon Gallagher • Matthew Brookman• Maria Araujo Kahn• James Simmons • Robert Ballou• Andrew Schopler • Jonathan Grey• Colleen Lawless • Arun Subramanian • Jessica Clarke • Robert Kirsch • Michael Farbiarz • Anthony Johnstone • Orelia Merchant • Wesley Hsu • Bradley Garcia • LaShonda A. Hunt • Nancy Gbana Abudu • Amanda Brailsford • Darrel Papillion • Jeremy Daniel • Hernan D. Vera • Julie Rikelman • Nusrat Choudhury • P. Casey Pitts • Myong Joun • Kymberly Evanson • Tiffany Cartwright • Rachel Bloomekatz • Natasha Merle • Dale Ho • Philip Hadji • Rita Lin • Brendan Hurson • Vernon D. Oliver • Matthew Maddox • Julia Munley • Brandy McMillion • Susan DeClercq • Julia Kobick • Ramon Reyes, Jr. • Ana de Alba • Kenly Kiya Kato • Mónica Ramírez Almadani • Jeffrey M. Bryan • Jamel Semper • Irma Ramirez • Richard Federico • Loren AliKhan • Brandon Long • Jerry Edwards Jr.• Sara Hill • Joseph Laroski | ||
| Commissioned in 2022 |
David Herrera Urias • Gabriel Sanchez • Holly Thomas • Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong • David Ruiz • Charles Fleming • Bridget Brennan • Leonard Stark • Alison J. Nathan • John Chun • Julie Rubin • Jacqueline Scott Corley • Ruth Bermudez Montenegro • Victoria Calvert • Georgette Castner • Anne Traum • Cristina Silva • Ketanji Brown Jackson (Supreme Court) • Sarah Geraghty • Hector Gonzalez • Fred Slaughter • Jennifer Rochon • Robert Huie • Sunshine S. Sykes • Stephanie Dawkins Davis • Evelyn Padin • Sherilyn P. Garnett • Ana de Alba • J. Michelle Childs • Trina Thompson • Elizabeth Hanes • Nancy Maldonado • Nina Morrison • Gregory Williams • John Z. Lee • Sal Mendoza, Jr. • Lara Montecalvo • Florence Pan • Andre Mathis • Sarah A.L. Merriam • Jennifer Rearden • Roopali Desai • María Antongiorgi-Jordán • Camille Vélez-Rivé • Doris Pryor • Frances Kay Behm • Dana Douglas • Mia Roberts Perez • Anne Nardacci • Jeffery P. Hopkins | ||
| Commissioned in 2021 |
Ketanji Brown Jackson • Zahid Quraishi • Julien Xavier Neals • Deborah Boardman • Regina Rodriguez • Candace Jackson-Akiwumi • Lydia Kay Griggsby • Tiffany Cunningham • Eunice Lee • Angel Kelley • Florence Pan • Veronica Rossman • David G. Estudillo • Sarah A.L. Merriam • Gustavo Gelpí • Christine O'Hearn • Margaret Strickland • Karen McGlashan Williams • Patricia Tolliver Giles • Toby Heytens • Michael Nachmanoff • Sarala Nagala • Beth Robinson • Omar A. Williams • Myrna Pérez • Jia Cobb • Tana Lin • Lauren King • Lucy H. Koh • Jennifer Sung • Samantha Elliott • Katherine Menendez • Mary Dimke • Linda Lopez • Shalina Kumar • Jane Beckering • Jinsook Ohta • Jennifer L. Thurston • Stephen Locher • Charlotte Sweeney • Nina Nin-Yuen Wang • Arianna Freeman • Jerry Blackwell | ||
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|---|---|---|---|
| Nominated | |||
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington
State courts:
Washington Supreme Court • Washington Court of Appeals • Washington Superior Court • Washington District Courts • Washington Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Washington • Washington judicial elections • Judicial selection in Washington
