INSIDE THIS ISSUE Judicial Vacancies Break 100 Mark In 5th Circuit, Distance No Deterrent in Case Disposition Collaboration Produces Improved Guidelines Federal Courthouses Win 2000 Design Awards Where the Money Goes: A Look At How The Judiciary's FY 2001 Budget is Divided Judicial Fellows for 2001 Selected Open Doors of Justice Program Highlights Bill of Rights International Courts Tap Judicial Expertise Judicial Milestones Judicial Boxscore Congressional Leaders Hear from Conference

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Judicial Vacancies Break 100 Mark

With the nominees gathered at the White House, President George W. Bush announced 11 nominations to the federal courts of appeals, as judicial vacancies topped 101. The nominees are, front row from left: Judge Dennis Shedd (D. S.C.), Miguel Estrada and Justice Priscilla Owen (Texas Supreme Court). Middle Row, from left: Jeffrey Sutton, Judge Edith Brown Clement (E. D. La), Judge Roger Gregory (4th Cir.), John Roberts. Back row: Chief Judge Terrence Boyle (E.D. N.C.), Michael McConnell, Justice Deborah Cook (Ohio Supreme Court), Judge Barrington Parker (S.D. NY).

Federal judges resigning, retiring or taking senior status, dying, or moving to appellate judgeships have created 101 judicial vacancies, leaving nearly 12 percent of the authorized appellate and district court judgeships empty. In addition, 11 federal judges have indicated they will either take senior status or retire within the next five months. Judicial vacancies last topped 100 in July 1997.

Thirty-one of the existing vacancies are in the courts of appeals, 69 on the district courts, and one vacancy on the Court of International Trade. There are 179 authorized appellate court judgeships and 665 authorized district court judgeships. Nine judges sit on the Court of International Trade.

Currently, 33 judicial emergencies exist in the courts of appeals and district courts nationwide. Judicial emergencies are determined not only by the length of time a vacancy exists, but also by the weighted filings per judgeship and adjusted filings per panel. The longest existing judicial emergency is in the Fourth Circuit, where a judgeship created by P.L. 101-650 in 1990 remains unfilled.