Norton Pick for US Attorney for the District of Columbia Approved by Judiciary Committee (2/1/2010)

Norton Pick for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Approved by Judiciary Committee

February 1, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nomination of Ronald Machen for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and has sent his nomination to the Senate floor. President Obama extended the Congresswoman Norton (D-DC) senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for U.S. Attorney and other important federal law enforcement positions in the District. She recommended Machen, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney here and one of the District's top lawyers, from a number of lawyers screened by her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, chaired by Pauline Schnieder, a former chair of the D.C. Bar and a partner at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe. The Senate Judiciary Committee considered Machen's nomination in an executive business meeting as part of a group of 10 law enforcement nominees. The Congresswoman said she is confident of Machen's confirmation by the full Senate.

Machen, a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, was a law clerk for Judge Damon J. Keith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Norton said that she and her 17-member Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, made up of D.C. residents, were impressed by Machen's public service and his strong reputation in the legal community. Machen lives with his wife and two children in the District.