Obama's Nominees, Judges Albert Diaz & James Wynn, US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals

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Judge Albert Diaz: North Carolina Special Superior Court.
Nominee for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
48yo

Experience
Defense counsel and Chief Review Officer, United States Marine Corps Legal Services.
Appellate government counsel, Navy Judge Advocate General.
Private attorney, Hunton & Williams.
Reserve Military Judge, U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary.
Resident Superior Court Judge, North Carolina Superior Court.

Education
B.S., University of Pennsylvania.
J.D., New York University School of Law.
MBA, Boston University.

Notes

This seat on the court has been vacant since 07/31/1994, the longest appellate vacancy in the country. I believe Judge Diaz is a SCOTUS prospect.




Judge James Wynn: North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Nominee for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
55yo

Experience

Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
Appellate public defender.
Certified Military Trial Judge.
U.S. Navy JAG Corps.
Chair of the American Bar Association Judicial Division.
Chair of the American Bar Association Appellate Judges Conference.
American Bar Association Committee member, Standing Committee on Minorities.

Honors

Meritorious Service Medal x3.
Navy Commendation Medal x2.
Naval Reserve Medal.
National Defense Service Medal.
Global War on Terrorism Medal.

Education

B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
J.D., Marquette University Law School.
Master of Laws, University of Virginia School of Law.



US 4th Circuit by party of nominating President


Other nominees for the 4th Circuit with date of nomination

Davis,Andre M. 04/02/2009
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8317188

Keenan,Barbara Milano 09/14/2009
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6549544


POTUS press release
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-nominates-judge-albert-diaz-and-judge-james-wynn-fourth-circuit-cou


This court has long been considered the most conservative court in the country but with 5 seats to fill the court will be dominated with Democratic appointees, if they can ever get confirmed in the Senate.

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1. How will the GOP block these two?

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2. Everyone send a note to your Senator, make sure they push these nominees through

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3. BLT (not Bacon lettuce and tomato) post here:

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2009/11/obama-nominates-two-from-nc-to-the-4th-circuit.html

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4. News & Record of Greensboro:

Sen. Kay Hagan announced on her conference call this morning that President Barack Obama has nominated two North Carolina judges to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals: Judge James “Jim” Wynn, who currently sits on the N.C. Court of Appeals, and Judge Albert Diaz, a Superior Court judge in Mecklenburg County who handles complex business cases.

From a release by Hagan:

"The 4th Circuit serves five states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. North Carolina, the largest and fastest growing of the five states in the 4th Circuit, has been historically underrepresented on the 15-judge panel. Dating back to the establishment of the 4th Circuit in 1801, North Carolina has had only six judges serve on the panel. Currently, Judge Allyson Duncan is the only judge from North Carolina. Upon taking office in January, Senator Hagan made it a top priority to increase North Carolina’s representation on the court."

Hagan has been pounding this drum since she was elected, and getting these two appointments is a win for her.

“I’m going to be working very hard to ensure this confirmation process is smooth,” Hagan said.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/04/article/obama_appoints_two_north_carolina_judges_to_the_fourth_circuit

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5. Maybe I can get 5 before its too late?

hint hint