Durbin Questions Nominees in Latest Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing
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 Julia M. Lipez, nominated to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Karla M. Campbell, nominated to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; Mary Kay Lanthier, nominated to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Vermont; and Catherine Henry, nominated to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Durbin first asked Judge Lipez about the support she gained from various survivor advocacy groups for her work prosecuting and presiding over cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence.
Judge Lipez replied that several Maine-based organizations, including the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, have written in support of her nomination because of her experience working with survivors in her role as a prosecutor and for holding perpetrators accountable as a judge.
Durbin then turned his questioning to Ms. Campbell. “Tell me, Ms. Campbell, about your experience when it comes to serving in court as a lawyer and the kind of support you have,” Durbin said.
Ms. Campbell is a highly experienced trial attorney and appellate practitioner with nearly two decades of legal experience. Ms. Campbell explained that she runs a plaintiff-side practice that represents low-wage workers and federal benefit trust funds related to workers’ pensions. She has also represented victims of crimes, as well as attorneys general in civil litigation across Tennessee. From 2010 to 2011, Ms. Campbell served as a law clerk for Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, whom Ms.Campbell has been nominated to replace on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Video of Durbin’s questions for the first panel in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions for the first panel in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions for the first panel in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
Durbin then began questioning the second panel of nominees, beginning with Ms. Lanthier. “Ms. Lanthier has tried 50 cases to a jury verdict… Tell me about that experience. What has been your biggest surprise when it comes to jury response?” Durbin asked.
Ms. Lanthier responded that she is impressed by the level of engagement and dedication from jurors, who take their role in the justice system seriously.
Turning to Ms. Henry, Durbin asked, “You’ve had experience representing clients at every stage of the criminal process. Any observations?”
Ms. Henry reiterated the importance of the jury system. She spoke about her role as a law professor and about her emphasis on onsite learning, wherein she brings law students to the courtroom to participate in trying cases in federal court.
“You may have noticed in the Biden Administration that women [have been nominated to the judiciary in record numbers]… Some people admire that and some resent it very much. We find in lines of questioning that there seems to be a prejudice to believe that women cannot be good prosecutors… Both of you have defense backgrounds, what is your response to the argument that you’re going to be soft on crime?” Durbin asked.
Ms. Lanthier responded that she has represented victims and has seen the impact of crime on those victims. She emphasized that she would apply the appropriate facts of the law to the case before her if she were to be confirmed.
Ms. Henry agreed. She noted that she listens intently to victims as they testify in court, understanding that victims carry lasting trauma with them. Ms. Henry pledged that, if confirmed, everyone would receive equal treatment under the law in her courtroom.
Video of Durbin’s questions for the second panel in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions for the second panel in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions for the second panel 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 201 judges to lifetime appointments on the federal bench during the Biden administration. Ten lifetime judges – including three circuit court nominees and seven district court nominees – are eligible for a vote on the Senate floor.
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