Norton's Commission Accepting Applications for U.S. District Court Judgeships
Norton's Commission Accepting Applications for U.S. District Court Judgeships
(April 15, 2009)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that her Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission is currently accepting applications for three U.S. District Judge positions for the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. Application questionnaires can be accessed online at https://www.norton.house.gov/. The Congresswoman was granted Senatorial courtesy by President Obama to recommend a number of law enforcement positions, including U.S. District Judge, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and U.S. Marshal.
Criteria for evaluating candidates for the positions include: integrity, professional skills and experience, impartiality, industry, good health, high respect in the legal and local community, respect for the Bill of Rights and for the rights of all litigants, entities and parties, judicial temperament, ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, demonstrated commitment to equal justice, and decisiveness. Diversity also is important in federal appointments.
Application questionnaires may be obtained by visiting the Congresswoman's website or contacting Sheila Bunn in the Congresswoman's office at 202-225-8050. Resumes are welcome but not required.
Applicants must submit 20 completed copies of the application questionnaires to the office of Pauline A. Schneider, Chair, Federal Law Enforcement Nominating Commission, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Columbia Center, 1152 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 by 5 pm on Friday, May 15, 2009.
Norton has appointed a 17-member Commission of D.C. residents who will conduct investigations and interviews and vet applicants, then give the names of the best-qualified candidates to the Congresswoman. Norton, after doing her own due diligence on the recommendations, will indicate her preferences for the positions to the President, who makes nominations for confirmation by the Senate.
President Clinton was the first president to extend this courtesy to a member of Congress from the District. The Congresswoman decided to exercise this responsibility by including D.C. residents in the decision process, and was responsible for the appointments of Eric Holder, the first African American United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, now U.S. Attorney General, and Wilma A. Lewis, the first woman to serve in that post. She also was responsible for the appointments of 12 United States District Court judges. All were nominated from Norton's recommendations, which were first processed through her Commission. All were praised by the Bar and the public.
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