Durbin Questions Nominees at Today’s Judiciary Committee Hearing on Judicial Nominations
WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Judge Nancy Maldonado, nominated to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit; Georgia Alexakis, nominated to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; Krissa Lanham, nominated to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Arizona; Angela Martinez, nominated to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Arizona; and Sparkle Sooknanan, nominated to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia.
Durbin began his questioning by asking Judge Maldonado to reflect on her experience as a District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois.
“It has been two years or so since you last sat at this table for review by the Committee. You’ve had life experience since then as a District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois. What surprised you about that experience?” Durbin asked.
Judge Maldonado noted that she is proud of the work her staff has done under her leadership. She pointed to her work on jury trials as a positive and inspiring experience.
Durbin then asked Judge Maldonado about how she approached cases that called on her to interact with aspects of the law that were not her specialty. “When you consider all the cases and orders that you have authored and been involved in, I would imagine that in some cases, it is a matter of almost first experience in an aspect of the law or some legal precedents. How often do you run into that?” Durbin posed.
Judge Maldonado replied that, at different points in her career, patent law, antitrust law, and criminal law were unfamiliar areas for her. After immersing herself in research and review, Judge Maldonado learned about these aspects of law. She noted that she anticipates that she will continue to learn new areas of the law, and that she would commit herself to studying these areas, if she were confirmed to the Seventh Circuit.
Video of Durbin’s questions to Judge Maldonado in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions to Judge Maldonado in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions to Judge Maldonado in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
Following the swearing in and opening statements of the second panel of nominees, Durbin turned his questioning to Ms. Alexakis. Referencing her experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and her role as Civil Rights and Hate Crimes Program Coordinator while serving as Deputy Chief of Appeals in the Criminal Division, Durbin said, “Ms. Alexakis, tell us a bit about your civil rights and hate crimes coordination work.”
Ms. Alexakis responded by discussing her efforts to work closely with law enforcement to prosecute hate crimes while also bolstering community outreach efforts. In her role, she spoke directly to interfaith groups and Christian, Muslim, and Jewish community groups to provide them with information about what resources exist within the Department of Justice for those targeted during hate crimes.
Durbin then asked Ms. Lanham to discuss her childhood living abroad and how it will impact her role as a District Court Judge if she were to be confirmed. “Ms. Lanham, this global following of yours, would you like to explain it?” Durbin asked.
Ms. Lanham spoke about growing up in Bangkok, Thailand, where she attended an international school with students from more than 53 different nationalities. Ms. Lanham explained that her background allows her to understand the strength in diversity, which she will rely on in her courtroom and chambers if she is to be confirmed.
Continuing his questions, Durbin asked Ms. Martinez to share her thoughts on the necessary temperament for judges. “Ms. Martinez, as practicing attorneys, many of us reach our own judgement about the temperament and skills of the sitting judges we appear before. You have been on both sides of the bench now. What is your observation on the temperament of judges?” Durbin asked.
Ms. Martinez replied that “the temperament of the judge sets the tone for the court room.” She explained that judges must be respectful and give all parties a fair opportunity to air their grievances and to be heard.
Durbin concluded his questioning by asking Ms. Sooknanan about her immigration and her naturalization in 2009.
“Ms. Sooknanan, I was struck… that you came to the United States at the age of 16… That’s a bold adventure for a 16-year-old. Did you have family here that you visited with or lived with?” Durbin asked.
Ms. Sooknanan explained that she immigrated after being accepted to St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, New York.
Durbin then asked her to share a message with anyone considering immigrating to the United States. “You will have the responsibility for naturalization ceremonies when you ascend to the bench, and I hope you do. What do you want to leave as your message to these young people coming to the United States?” Durbin asked.
Ms. Sooknanan shared that she was able to eventually clerk for the judge that presided over her own naturalization ceremony. She emphasized the opportunities offered in the United States, noting that her life is an example of the possibilities. Ms. Sooknanan said that she would be honored to preside over a naturalization ceremony.
Video of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Alexakis, Ms. Lanham, Ms. Martinez, and Ms. Sooknanan in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Alexakis, Ms. Lanham, Ms. Martinez, and Ms. Sooknanan in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Alexakis, Ms. Lanham, Ms. Martinez, and Ms. Sooknanan in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
Today’s hearing continues the Committee’s work filling judicial and executive vacancies with highly qualified, diverse candidates who help ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system. Under the leadership of Chair Durbin, the Senate has confirmed 186 judges to lifetime appointments on the federal bench during the Biden administration. Twelve lifetime judges – including two circuit court nominees and ten district court nominees – are eligible for a vote on the Senate floor.
-30-
