Reid blasts bar association over judicial ratings

Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | Feb. 11, 2010 | STEVE TETREAULT

[Nevadan]

Sen. Harry Reid criticized the American Bar Association this morning, saying it should "get a new life" in how it rates prospective federal judges, after one of his picks got a mixed review.

In remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Nevada Democrat who is majority leader of the Senate, said the bar association's ratings board puts too much weight on whether judicial nominees have prior bench experience, and it overlooks their "real world" qualifications.

Reid expanded his criticism to include the U.S. Supreme Court, whose present makeup, he said, consists of "people who have never seen the outside world."

"I have asked President (Barack) Obama, let's get somebody on the court that has not been a judge. They need to do more than thinking of themselves as these people who walk around in these robes in these fancy chambers."

Reid was set off by the ABA's rating of Las Vegas attorney Gloria Navarro, who was appearing today before the Senate committee as his choice and Obama's nominee to become a U.S. District Court judge in Nevada.

According to the association's 15-member Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, a "substantial majority" rated Navarro as "qualified," while a minority rated her as "not qualified." The bar shares its ratings in an advisory capacity to the White House and Congress.

Navarro, 42, has been in private practice, has served as a public defender and is presently chief deputy district attorney in the civil division of Clark County district attorney's office.

Several other attorneys who have examined Navarro's resume have speculated her lack of experience as a judge at any level might have been the reason some ABA reviewers rated her "not qualified" for the federal bench.

Reid told the Judiciary Committee it was "upsetting to me" that Navarro "is not rated as high as she should be rated."

"If they base their rating on people having judicial experience, that would mean that according to them, every person who seeks a seat on the bench has to have judicial experience. Maybe a municipal court judge, maybe a justice of the peace.

"I just cannot accept that," Reid said, touting Navarro as an attorney who has pursued political corruption cases, defended a person who had been convicted of murder, and has had to pursue clients in order to pay the bills.

"This woman will be a terrific judge," Reid said. "She has had experience in the real world of government, the real world of law."

With Reid, the Senate majority leader, as her patron, Navarro is expected to win Senate confirmation.

Navarro would be the first Hispanic woman to serve as a federal judge in Nevada. She would replace Brian Sandoval, who resigned the lifetime appointment last year and is running for governor.

The Nevadan appeared before the committee alongside five other nominees for judgeships in Indiana, California and Missouri.

Navarro had waited out the snowstorm that crippled Capitol Hill week, as the confirmation meeting was postponed a day because of the weather. She appeared alone, explaining her husband, Clark County chief deputy district attorney Brian Rutledge, their three sons, her mother and several friends were unable to make it.

"We'll send them a DVD," joked Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

During her testimony, Navarro appeared ready for a question about her experience, which came from Klobuchar.

Navarro said she has practiced in federal and state courts, handled civil and criminal cases, has represented plaintiffs and defendants and has been in private practice and worked as a public servant.

"The experiences have given me the opportunity to appear before many different judges with many different styles," she said. "I have also had the opportunity to become familiar with many different rules and procedures in different courts."

"Having that broad range of experience definitely will build a solid foundation for a successful judicial career."

[ToTheMax]

Reid should stay out of bars. He’s hard enough to understand when he is sober.

[Catholic Iowan]

Democrats only care about advancing Hispanics (or any other minority) if they are liberal. Case in point: Miguel Estrada. They had no problem assassinating his good character.