David Sellers, 202-502-2600
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Chief Judge Anthony J. Scirica

April 25, 2008 — Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. has appointed Anthony J. Scirica, the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to be chairman of the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

In making the appointment, Chief Justice Roberts said, "Tony Scirica is a wise and thoughtful judge. The Executive Committee will benefit from his deep reservoir of experience and proven leadership skills."

Judge Scirica's appointment takes effect May 1, 2008. Judge Scirica, who has been a member of the Committee since October 2006, succeeds Chief Judge Thomas Hogan of the District of Columbia, who has chaired the Executive Committee since October 2005. The Judicial Conference is the national policy-making body for the federal courts. The seven-member Executive Committee serves as the senior executive arm of the Conference and is authorized to act on behalf of the Conference between its biannual sessions.

Also serving on the Executive Committee are Chief Judges Danny J. Boggs of the Sixth Circuit, Michael Boudin of the First Circuit, Paul Michel of the Federal Circuit, and Judges Charles R. Breyer of the Northern District of California and Lawrence L. Piersol of the District of South Dakota. James C. Duff, Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, is an ex-officio member of the Committee.

Judge Scirica has served as chairman of the Judicial Conference's Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and was a member of the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules. He was also Chair of the Judicial Conference Working Group on Mass Torts. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Scirica practiced law in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where he also served as an Assistant District Attorney and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Scirica was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature and also served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission. In 1984, he was appointed United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and in 1987, appointed to the Court of Appeals. He is a 1962 graduate of Wesleyan University and a 1965 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.