I am proud to support Caitlin Halligan's nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Caitlin Halligan's impeccable career spans public and private practice, similar to that of John Roberts when he was confirmed unanimously to the DC Circuit. Ms. Halligan served as solicitor general of New York, a leading appellate lawyer at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, and currently as general counsel at the New York County district attorney's office, which investigates and prosecutes 100,000 criminal cases annually. She clerked for Supreme Court Justice Breyer and Judge Patricia Wald on the DC Circuit. The ABA's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary unanimously rated Ms. Halligan ``well qualified'' to serve on the DC Circuit. Ms. Halligan has support from across the political spectrum, including Miguel Estrada, Carter Phillips, and officials in Democratic and Republican administrations. Twenty-three former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations, and the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce are supporting her nomination. New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly has said Ms. Halligan has three qualities that are important for a nominee--intelligence, judicial temperament, and personal integrity. Unfortunately, it appears some of my colleagues are determined to criticize Caitlin Halligan regardless of the facts. One of the criticisms of Ms.…
On the recordDecember 5, 2011
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