Fitzgibbons to lead state’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission
Fitzgibbons to lead state’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission Fitzgibbons to lead state’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission April 15, 2009 Regular News
Tampa attorney John Fitzgibbons has been tapped to head the revamped Florida’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, which will pick finalists for presidential appointments for Florida federal judgeships as well as U.S. attorneys and U.S. marshals.Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL, announced Fitzgibbons’ appointment as well as the membership for the federal JNC, noting the appointment rules were worked out in conjunction with Florida’s junior senator, Sen. Mel Martinez, R-FL.Nelson, in a press release, noted it is customary to revamp the membership of the JNC when a new presidential administration takes office.“We have tried to provide a process beyond the reach of partisan politics to help select the top candidates for jobs that involve upholding the public trust,” Nelson said.Fitzgibbons, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Tampa and formerly with the U.S. Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, will oversee the 56-member JNC, which is divided into three panels, one for each federal court district in the state.Chair for the Northern District panel is Linda Shelley. Other members are Jim Appleman, John Aurell, Dubose Ausley, Martha Barnett, William “Bill” Harrison, Melanie Ann Hines, Don Hinkle, Doug Mannheimer, Jon Mills, Daryl Parks, Buzz Ritchie, Leander Shaw, Jim Smith, and Susan Shaw.Chair for the Middle District panel is Wayne Hogan. Other members are Steve Cheeseman, Tom Dukes, W.C. Gentry, Nat Glover, Saundra Grey, Michael Grindstaff, Ben Hill III, Trudie Kibbe-Reed, Mike Maher, Marcos Marchena, Bill McBride, Susan McCaskill, Hugh Normile, Steve Pajcic, Marsha Santana Rydberg, Bruce Smathers, Bruce Strayhorn, Brian T. Wilson, and William “Bill” Wilson.Chair for the Southern District panel is Kendall Coffey. Other members are Georgina Angones, Reginald Clyne, Gonzalo R. Dorta, Al Dotson, Philip Freidin, John Genovese, Evelyn Greer, Jillian Hasner, Manny Kadre, Chuck Lichtman, Richard Lydecker, Tom Panza, Luis Perez, Danny Ponce, David Prather, Dennis Richard, Justin Sayfie, Chris Searcy, and Steve Zack.The first task for the JNC will be to find a replacement for Southern District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley, who recently took senior status. The panel may also be reviewing applicants for the state’s three U.S. attorneys, since new presidents generally replace those officials.The JNC released its procedural rules, a list of its members, and application forms for judges, U.S. attorneys, and federal marshals, which are posted on the Bar’s Web site.