11.15.22

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Hearing on Latest Circuit And District Court Nominations

Committee to consider Colleen R. Lawless to serve as United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit; Robert Stewart Ballou, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Virginia; Todd E. Edelman, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia; Kymberly Kathryn Evanson, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington; Myong J. Joun, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and Colleen R. Lawless, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois.

Key quotes:

“This is an impressive slate of nominees with a broad range of experience. This slate already has over 50 years of judicial experience. And they have served as prosecutors, public defenders, and civil rights attorneys. I welcome the nominees and their families.” 

“First, I will introduce Judge Colleen Lawless, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, comprised of 46 counties. And with Judge Sue Myerscough set to take senior status, I hope to fill the bench as quickly as possible.”

“Judge Lawless has presided over approximately 125 bench trials in the domestic relations division. In addition, she has presided over proceedings involving mental health commitment, small claims, evictions, traffic violations, and emergency protection orders. Notably, Judge Lawless has never been reversed.”

“She conducted two solo jury trials within one year of admission to the Illinois Bar, and in total, tried four cases to verdict before a jury. As a practicing attorney, she handled cases implicating a range of issue areas—from family law to employment to civil matters.”

“Also on today’s panel is Judge Robert Ballou, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia… Judge Ballou has had an accomplished career both as a litigator and as a magistrate judge.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.   

The biography of Colleen R. Lawless from the White House is below:

Colleen R. Lawless has served as an Associate Judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Sangamon County, Illinois, since 2019.  Judge Lawless was previously a shareholder at Londrigan, Potter & Randle P.C. in Springfield, Illinois, from 2009 to 2019.  Judge Lawless received her J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2009 and her B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2005.

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