Litigation

N.C. Bar Chief Praises 2 Appellate Nominees

By Peter Hardin

President Obama’s two recent nominations to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from North Carolina “clearly represent the best opportunity [the state] has experienced in its quest for equitable representation” on that bench, writes John R. Wester, president of the N.C. Bar Association, in a Charlotte News & Observer column.

Confirmation hearings for Judge James Wynn (photo at right), of the N.C. Court of Appeals, and Judge Albert Diaz (photo at left), of the Special Superior Court for Complex Business Cases, are scheduled before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Wester notes that the 4th Circuit hears appeals from five states, and North Carolina is the most populous with nearly 32 percent of the total number of citizens in those states. Since the retirement in 1994 of Judge J. Dickson Phillips, not more than one judge from North Carolina has sat on the court, he writes, and between September 1999 and July 2003, no North Carolina judge sat on the 4th Circuit.

Regarding Judges Wynn and Diaz, Wester commends both as possessing “sterling credentials as lawyers, military veterans, JAG officers and as members of the bench.” To view a webcast of the 3 p.m. Senate Judicary hearing, you may click here.

If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Wynn would be the circuit court?s third African American judge, and Diaz would be its first Hispanic member. You can learn more about their nominations from an earlier Gavel Grab post, and about the importance of diversity on the federal bench from Justice at Stake’s resources page.

Full post as published by The Gavel on December 14, 2009 (boomark / email).