Durbin, Kirk: Illinois Judicial Nomination for Northern District Receives Senate Committee Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) said that a hearing was held today in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. His nomination is expected to receive a vote in the committee within the next few weeks. If approved, his nomination will receive a vote by the full Senate.
“Tom Durkin has the ability, experience and integrity to serve with distinction on the federal bench. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong leadership in his community and a solid commitment to public service,” said Durbin. “Tom Durkin is a consensus, bipartisan nominee that both Senator Kirk and I strongly support. I thank the President for nominating Mr. Durkin and thank the Chairman for scheduling today’s hearing. I look forward to seeing this nomination approved by the Senate this year.” Durbin, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, forwarded Durkin’s name to President Obama in 2009 based on the recommendation of a bipartisan screening committee chaired by former federal judge and Illinois Congressman Abner Mikva.
“Tom Durkin has outstanding legal experience and a strong record of public service,” said Senator Kirk. “I was pleased to join Sen. Durbin in recommending Mr. Durkin to the White House, and I am confident he will be an excellent judge. I thank the Judiciary Committee for scheduling today's hearing and look forward to working with my colleagues to expeditiously confirm Mr. Durkin to the federal bench.” Durkin was one of Senator Kirk's judicial recommendations submitted to the White House in July 2011.
Thomas M. Durkin is a partner at the law firm of Mayer Brown LLP, where he handles a broad array of matters including complex commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense. He was the Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee for nearly a decade. Prior to joining the firm as a partner in 1993, Durkin served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois for over a decade. During that time, he served in numerous leadership positions, including Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division, Chief of the Criminal Receiving and Appellate Division, and First Assistant United States Attorney.
From 1978 to 1980, Durkin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Stanley J. Roszkowski of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He has received the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement, and the John Marshall Award from the U.S. Department of Justice. Durkin received his J.D. with honors in 1978 from the DePaul University College of Law, where he has taught as an adjunct professor and his B.S. with honors in 1975 from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Durkin lives in Downers Grove.
Previous Article Next Article