This article is in the news archives --- for current news go to the Third Branch News.
New Leadership Named on Conference Committees
The terms of two Judicial Conference committee chairs have been extended, and
eight new committee chairs have been appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts,
Jr.
Judge Gordon J. Quist (W.D. Mich.), chair of the Committee on Codes of
Conduct, and Judge Ralph K. Winter, Jr. (2nd Cir.), chair of the Committee on
Judicial Conduct and Disability, were reappointed to serve as chairs of their
committees for an additional year.
Six new committee chairs begin their terms on October 1, 2007. Judge Barbara
M. G. Lynn (N.D. Tex.) will chair the Committee on the Administration of the
Bankruptcy System, succeeding Judge Marjorie O. Rendell (3rd Cir.). Judge Janet
C. Hall (D. Conn.) is the new chair of the Committee on Federal-State
Jurisdiction, succeeding Judge Howard D. McKibben (D. Nev.). Chief Judge George
Z. Singal (D. Me.) has been named chair of the Committee on Judicial Resources,
succeeding Judge W. Royal Furgeson, Jr. (W.D. Tex.). Judge Laura Taylor Swain
(S.D. NY) chairs the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules, succeeding Judge
Thomas S. Zilly (W.D. Wash.). Judge Richard C. Tallman (9th Cir.) has been named
chair of the Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules, succeeding Judge Susan C.
Bucklew (M.D. Fla.). Chief Judge Robert L. Hinkle (N.D. Fla.) succeeds Judge
Jerry E. Smith (5th Cir.) as chair of the Advisory Committee on the Rules of
Evidence.
Two judges began their terms as new committee chairs on July 1, 2007. Judge
Lee H. Rosenthal (S.D. Tex.) succeeded Judge David F. Levi (E.D. Calif.) as
chair of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure. Judge Mark R. Kravitz
(D. Conn.) succeeded Judge Rosenthal as chair of the Advisory Committee on Civil
Rules.
Appointments to Judicial Conference committees are made by the Chief Justice.
With the exception of the Executive, Judicial Branch, and Budget Committees,
committee chairs usually serve for a term of three years. Six years of
cumulative committee service usually is considered the maximum a member may
serve.