Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Durkin Nomination for Illinois Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. His nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate.
“I am pleased the Judiciary Committee has approved this consensus, bipartisan nominee,” said Durbin. “Tom Durkin has the ability, experience and integrity to serve with distinction on the federal bench in the Northern District. He has also demonstrated strong leadership in his community and a solid commitment to public service throughout his career. Senator Kirk and I will work with our colleagues to see that this nominee is confirmed without delay.” 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 would be an excellent judge for the Northern District Court of Illinois and I am pleased the Judiciary Committee has approved his nomination today,” said Senator Kirk. “I thank Senator Durbin for his leadership and look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to confirm Mr. Durkin for 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.