Congrats to Bob Scola (UPDATED)

The White House officially nominated him yesterday. Congrats!

Now we need to get the Congress to confirm him and Kathy Williams. The holdup is inexcusable.

Here's the press release from the White House:

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 04, 2011
President Obama Nominates Six Judges to United States District Courts
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama nominated Dana L. Christensen, Katherine B. Forrest, Justice John M. Gerrard, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, Edgardo Ramos, and Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. for District Court judgeships.

"These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system," said President Barack Obama. "I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity."

Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. serves as a Judge on Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit, where he has presided over criminal, civil, and family law matters since 1995. Prior to joining the bench, he spent a decade in private practice as both a sole practitioner and, from 1992 to 1993, at the law firm of Quinon, Strafer & Scola, as a criminal defense attorney representing a wide range of defendants in both state and federal courts. Judge Scola began his law practice at the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney, where he worked from 1980 to 1986. He received his J.D., cum laude, in 1980 from Boston College Law School and his B.A. in 1977 from Brown University.


UPDATED

Federal Bar President Brett Barfield tells me that the Federal Bar Luncheon next week will address the judicial confirmation process and what's taking so long. Here's the info:

The Federal Bar Association

SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER

LUNCHEON MEETING

When: Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Where: The Bankers Club

Guest Speaker: Bruce Moyer, the Federal Bar Association's National Counsel for Government Relations. We'll leave plenty of time to relax and catch up with each other before and after Bruce's talk at this last FBA lunch before the summer break.

The Federal Bar Association maintains a national presence in Washington through its advocacy and representation in the halls of Congress, the White House and throughout the Executive Branch. Coordinating that effort is Bruce Moyer, the FBA’s Counsel for Government Relations, a thirty-year Washington attorney and legislative representative. Bruce will address the challenges currently facing the federal judiciary, including the judicial vacancies crisis, and the significant role that the FBA is playing to sustain and support the federal courts and the administration of justice.



Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.



Valet parking is available for $5.00 on

Flagler Street at Biscayne in front of Mia Restaurant. The

Bankers Club validates only valet parking



Cost: $35.00 for members

$50.00 for non-members

$20.00 for government, academic, and public interest lawyers



SPACE IS LIMITED: RSVP by reply to this email (fba@hklaw.com) or by calling (305) 789-7614 by Friday, May 6!



Please make checks payable to Federal Bar Association, c/o Brett Barfield,701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3000 Miami, FL 33131