American Bar Association: Neomi Rao “Well Qualified”

WASHINGTON – Today Neomi Rao, President Trump’s nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, was rated “well qualified” by the American Bar Association.

 Tomorrow, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on Rao’s nomination. At the end of January, Chairman Graham welcomed the Trump Administration’s decision to nominate a number of highly qualified judicial nominees, including Rao.

 Full text of the letter is below and HERE.

 February 4, 2019

VIA E-MAIL ONLY                                                 

The Honorable Lindsey Graham

Chairman

Committee on the Judiciary

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

VIA E-MAIL ONLY

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Ranking Member

Committee on the Judiciary

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Re: Nomination of Neomi J. Rao to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

 Dear Chairman Graham and Ranking Member Feinstein:

 The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has completed its evaluation of the professional qualifications of Neomi J. Rao, whom the President has nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. As you know, the Standing Committee confines its evaluation to the qualities of integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament. A majority of the Standing Committee is of the opinion that Ms. Rao is “Well Qualified,” and a minority determined that she is “Qualified” to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The majority rating represents the Committee’s official rating.

 By separate letter, I have notified Pat A. Cipollone, White House Counsel, of the Standing Committee’s rating.

 A copy of this letter has been provided to Ms. Rao.

 Sincerely,

Paul T. Moxley

PTM/mc

cc: Neomi J. Rao (via e-mail and U.S. Mail)

Lola A. Kingo, Chief Nominations Counsel, Office of Legal Policy,

U.S. Department of Justice (via e-mail only)

ABA Standing Comittee on the Federal Judiciary (via e-mail only)

Denise A. Cardman, ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary,

Staff Counsel (via e-mail only)