Norton to Speak at Investiture of Federal Judge She Recommended for U.S. District Court
Norton to Speak at Investiture of Federal Judge She Recommended for U.S. District Court
June 13, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today will offer remarks at the investiture ceremony for Robert Wilkins for U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Columbia, who Norton recommended for nomination to President Obama. Wilkins was confirmed by the Senate in December.
"Robert Wilkins represents the best of the brilliant lawyers who live in the District of Columbia," Norton said. "He has represented the haves and the have-nots alike, and his reputation among his peers is universally high. I have no doubt that his experience has prepared him well to be a great federal trial court judge."
Wilkins, named one of the "90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years" in 2008 by the Legal Times, has a combination of extensive civil and criminal trial experience in both private and public practice. He first developed a strong reputation as a trial lawyer at the Public Defender Service (PDS) here, where he tried more than 30 cases and became known as a top litigator in cutting-edge criminal and civil trials. He became chief of Special Litigation and Programs at PDS, where he handled complex matters, including judicial investigations, impact litigation and appellate work. He then became a partner at a top law firm, Venable LLP, where he worked on criminal and civil litigation and appeals.
Wilkins graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, cum laude, with a degree in chemical engineering in 1986, and from Harvard Law School in 1989, where he served as Executive Editor and Comment Editor of one of its law journals, and was active in the Black Law Student Association. He later clerked for a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
President Obama, like President Clinton, gave Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend candidates for important federal law enforcement posts in the District. The Congresswoman established a 17-member Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, made up of D.C. residents from every ward and chaired by Pauline Schneider, to vet and recommend candidates to the Congresswoman, who then does her own interviews and submits her final choices to the President.
Earlier this month, the Congresswoman attended the investiture of Amy Berman Jackson, another Norton judicial pick. In March, the Senate confirmed Norton recommendation James E. Boasberg for U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Columbia. During the last Congress, the Senate also confirmed Norton's recommendations for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ronald Machen, U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Columbia Beryl A. Howell, and the U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, Edwin D. Sloane.