04.03.20

Leader McConnell: Judge Walker Is A ‘Judicial All-Star’

‘The Entire Country Will Benefit From Having This Brilliant, Principled, And Fair-Minded Legal Expert On This Consequential Bench’

 

“President Trump is tapping a young district judge and former clerk to now-Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh to fill a vacancy on the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The nomination of Justin Walker … underscores the influence of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on the conservative transformation of the federal judiciary under Trump, to whom McConnell has actively promoted Walker behind the scenes.” (“Trump Taps Former Kavanaugh Clerk To Fill Vacancy On Powerful D.C. Appeals Court,” The Washington Post, 4/3/2020)

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “Judge Justin Walker, the President’s choice to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, is an outstanding legal scholar and a leading light in a new generation of federal judges. I am proud that President Trump’s search took him outside the Beltway and into the Bluegrass. He has chosen a rising Kentucky star, born and raised in Louisville, to refresh the second-most-important federal court in the country. … Judge Walker is a brilliant and fair jurist who reveres the Constitution and our nation’s founding principles. He understands the crucial but limited role that a judge must play in our constitutional order. I have known my fellow Kentuckian for a long time. The entire country will benefit from having this brilliant, principled, and fair-minded legal expert on this consequential bench.” (Sen. McConnell, Press Release, 4/3/2020)

 

Judge Walker Is An ‘Outstanding Choice,’ Has ‘An Impressive Legal Career,’ And ‘Fits The Mold Of The President’s Federal Appellate Court Nominees’

FORMER WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL DONALD F. McGAHN: “[Judge Walker is an] outstanding choice. … He has exceptional academic credentials, clerked at the U.S. Supreme Court, and has focused his legal scholarship on precisely the sort of issues that come before the D.C. Circuit… Judge Walker fits the mold of the president’s federal appellate court nominees, I applaud his selection, and wish him a speedy confirmation.” (“Trump Taps Former Kavanaugh Clerk To Fill Vacancy On Powerful D.C. Appeals Court,” The Washington Post, 4/3/2020)

THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY’S LEONARD LEO: “Judge Walker has had an impressive legal career, during which he has aligned himself with originalism, textualism, and the important separation of powers principles that make our country great…” (“Trump Taps Former Kavanaugh Clerk To Fill Vacancy On Powerful D.C. Appeals Court,” The Washington Post, 4/3/2020)

CARRIE SEVERINO, President Of The Judicial Crisis Network: “[Judicial Crisis Network is] prepared to do whatever necessary [to ensure Walker’s confirmation.]” (“Trump Taps Former Kavanaugh Clerk To Fill Vacancy On Powerful D.C. Appeals Court,” The Washington Post, 4/3/2020)

 

Kentucky Attorneys: Walker ‘Is Sharp, Fair, And Will Follow The Law’

81 KENTUCKY ATTORNEYS: “Justin’s rigorous legal mind is matched by his ability to listen carefully. And his qualifications cannot reasonably be questioned—a law degree from Harvard, clerkships in two of the country’s most important courts, experience at a national and regional law firm, and a proven commitment to legal education. But more than that, Justin is a person of integrity who cares about the rule of law and the dignity of the individual. We are confident he will carefully consider the arguments of those practitioners appearing before him, and that he has the courage to apply precedent faithfully to resolve the disputes presented.” (81 Practicing Kentucky Attorneys, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/16/2019)

  • “And we know that if Justin is confirmed, we could give our clients an assessment of him for which any judge should strive: he is sharp, fair, and will follow the law.” (81 Practicing Kentucky Attorneys, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/16/2019)

 

Walker’s Law School Faculty Colleagues Say His ‘Intellect, Industry, Thoughtfulness, And Temperament’ Will Make Him ‘An Outstanding Federal Judge’

16 FACULTY MEMBERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE LAW SCHOOL: “There is no question that Justin meets every test of intellectual ability needed to be an outstanding federal judge.” (16 Faculty Members at the University of Louisville Law School, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/10/2019)

  • “In the current climate, where many have commented on the divisive nature of our politics and (it seems) every judicial nomination is an occasion for partisan combat, there is a greater need than ever for thoughtful, open-minded judges whose work creates both the perception and the reality of being willing to engage with those who have differing perspectives. Justin has always been exactly that kind of colleague, and we have no doubt he will be that kind of judge. Every litigant who comes before Judge Walker, whether in civil or criminal cases, can be confident he will be open to their arguments and carefully consider the opposing positions in light of the applicable law.” (16 Faculty Members at the University of Louisville Law School, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/10/2019)
  • “Collectively, we have had literally hundreds of conversations with Justin in which he has unfailingly been open to positions that differ from his own, while still being confident and able in defending his own position. In this way, the qualities of a great judge mirror those of a wonderful law professor, and Justin has them in abundance.” (16 Faculty Members at the University of Louisville Law School, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/10/2019)
  • “In sum, we are confident that Justin Walker will be an outstanding federal judge. We have seen in his work as our colleague that he has all the qualities of intellect, industry, thoughtfulness, and temperament that are essential for a judge.” (16 Faculty Members at the University of Louisville Law School, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/10/2019)

 

Walker’s Former Students Say He ‘Will Make A Brilliant, Fair- Minded, And Dedicated Judge’

MORE THAN 100 FORMER LAW STUDENTS: “We are more than a hundred of the students Professor Justin Walker has taught since 2014 at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. Given the concern and compassion he shows for students, his commitment to diversity and equality, his humility, his open-mindedness, and his ability to teach and inspire, we believe Professor Walker will be an excellent federal judge.” (More Than 100 Former University Of Louisville Law Students, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/17/2019)

  • “We’re sorry to realize that if Professor Walker is confirmed our law school will lose the full-time services of one of our favorite professors, but we know that he will make a brilliant, fair-minded, and dedicated judge.” (More Than 100 Former University Of Louisville Law Students, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/17/2019)

 

Walker’s Legal Colleagues Affirm His Character And Humility

PARTNERS AT DINSMORE & SHOHL LLP: “Justin has performed his responsibilities in a humble and collegial way. Dinsmore takes pride in its culture of diversity; our lawyers have views across the political spectrum and unique perspectives are encouraged. Justin is a tolerant person who enjoys exchanging ideas with persons of varying perspectives and backgrounds. He is delightful, empathetic and humble. We strongly support the confirmation of Justin Walker.” (Partners at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Letter to Sens. Graham and Feinstein, 7/12/2019)

 

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Related Issues: Judicial Nominations, Nominations