12.09.22

Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of One Circuit Court Judge & Four District Court Judges

The Committee also advanced one U.S. Attorney and two U.S. Marshals

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced 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; 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.

The nominations of Henry C. Leventis, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee; Michael D. Black, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio; and Catrina A. Thompson, to be United States Marshal for the Middle District of North Carolina, were also advanced by voice vote.

Benjamin received a vote of 13-9.  Ballou received a vote of 16-6.  Evanson received a vote of 12-10.  Joun received a vote of 12-10.  And Lawless received a vote of 15-7.  

Key Durbin quotes on Judge Lawless’ nomination to be United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois:

“[Judge Lawless] was born and raised in Illinois, and spent her entire professional career in the state.  Educated at Illinois Wesleyan [University] and Northern Illinois University College of Law, and private practice in Springfield for a number of years.” 

“Then she was chosen by the judges of Illinois’ Seventh Judicial Circuit to serve as an Associate Circuit Judge, where she has presided over 125 bench trials.  She received a rating of ‘Well Qualified’ from the ABA.”

“She has been nominated to serve in the district court seat located in my hometown of Springfield. That seat has been ably filled for many years by Judge Sue Myerscough. I want to thank her for her outstanding service to the Central District. She leaves big shoes to fill, but I think that Judge Lawless is up to the challenge.”

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.

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